CARBONDALE (SIU NEWS) — Saluki Express, Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s mass transit system, has changed its provider and routes due to a revised federal transportation classification and restructured funding as a result of the 2020 census. Saluki Express provides students, faculty, staff and community members with safe, reliable transportation around Carbondale and throughout the region.

Jackson County Mass Transit District will begin providing the service on Tuesday, Aug. 13. SIU students ride with their student ID cards, which they must show to the driver (card reader technology will come soon). Faculty, staff and community members must purchase a pass to ride the buses and can do so by calling JCMTD at 618-549-0304.

There will be four regular bus routes:

• Saluki Route – a 30-minute loop that primarily circles to all of the main SIU housing areas and numerous locations on campus.
• Pyramid Route – providing service around campus and to the west side of Carbondale with stops at the Southern Illinois Airport and Murdale Shopping Center.
• Sahara Route – providing service around campus and to the east side of Carbondale with stops at Carbondale Community High School and various retail spots including Kroger, Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree.
• Nile Route – covering a loop from the south side of Carbondale to the center of campus.

Saluki Night Shuttle, formerly Night Safety Transit, will continue to offer students rides from 7 p.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday, except during summer when hours are 8-11 p.m. The shuttle doesn’t operate on holidays or Sundays. Students can call 618-549-0304 as much as 24 hours in advance or the day of service up until 11:30 p.m. to make reservations, although early reservations are encouraged.

Paratransit services will not change. Students with short- or long-term issues that affect their travel abilities can work with the Office of Access and Accommodations to approve services.

RIDES Mass Transit District, which formerly covered Saluki Express, will continue to transport SIU students to Veterans Memorial Airport.

A new app is under development and will be announced at a later time. Officials encourage riders to be patient during the transition phase.

For more information, including maps of all bus routes, visit the Saluki Express website. For more information, email studentaffairs@siu.edu or call 618-453-2561.