Parking, Shuttle Service, and Free Bicycle Program:
Most residents of the Sahara either walk, bike to school, or take advantage of our shuttle service. Only about one third of the residents have their own cars. Below is the description of our shuttle service followed by details of how our "Free Bicycle Program" works. And, if you are going to have your own car while at the Sahara, how you can rent a secure parking space:
Sahara Shuttle Service:
During the academic year our shuttle van leaves from the Sahara half past each hour starting at 7:15 AM, with the last departure at 4:30 PM. Our pickup times are 10 minutes past each hour, with the first pickup at 9:10 AM and the last one at 5:10 PM. We drop off at, and pickup from, the circle just west of Old Main Building on University Blvd. Please click here for a Spring 2008 Shuttle Schedule. During the summer, we set up special schedules based on demand for the service. Starting at 6:30 PM the University's SafeRide program is available. This program allows UA students on campus to call the SafeRide Program phone number and request a ride to any location within their operating boundaries. Even though the Sahara is officially outside of the set boundaries of this program, they have included the Sahara as an acceptable destination due to our close proximity and the fact that we are an all student building.
As a part of the move-in costs, you purchase a "Smart Card" for $5.00. Then, each month when the monthly rent is paid, we will add $26.00 of credit to your Smart Card. You can use this credit in many ways. The amount of credit is enough to pay for the 50 cents a ride cost of taking our shuttle van to and from the UA for each day of the week for one month. If you walk, bike or drive your own car to the campus, you can use the $26 credit to do your laundry, play video games in our movie theatre.
Free Bicyle Program:
If you would like to bike to the campus, which only takes about 7 minutes, we will give you a bicycle and a lock to use for free while you live at the Sahara. All you need to do is to give us a "Refundable Security Deposit" of $85, and we will give you a bike and a lock. When you return the bike and the lock at the end of your lease, you will get your deposit back. While we do not make a commitment to do so, in practive we often help our residents fix most of the minor repairs needed for their bikes, by loaning them the tools they need, giving them advice, and depending on the type of repair needed and availability of our maintenance personnel, we often actually fix the the problems for them. But, you are ultimately responsible for maintaining and repairing the bike as needed as if it were your own. If you need professional help for the repair of the bike, there is a bike shop about a block down the street from the Sahara.
Parking:
If you are going to have your own automobile while you live at the Sahara, you must rent a parking space. We have only open air parking spaces available. These spaces are behind our locked autogates, and surrounded by our perimeter wall with security cameras monitoring the areas, and our infrared permimeter alarm system protecting against instruders entering the parking area unnoticed. Parking spaces are rented at only $25 a month. You will be assigned a specific parking space as close access to the staricase and/or the elevator that leads to your apartment.
Walking to campus:
With the very moderate winters, the mostly sunny days in Tucson, walking to campus is a great option that, for those who are so inclined, provides them with a great opportunity to get a minimum amount of physical activity required to remain in good health. It takes approximately 20 minutes each way to walk to and from the campus. Of course you can also walk one way and take the shuttle for the trip back or vice versa. The more often you walk to campus, the more of your $26 a month credit on your smart card you can save to pay for other things you can do with the credit such as doing your laundry or playing games.
Getting Around Tucson and UA Campus:
Arizona Stagecoach |
To and from Tucson International Airport to your residence. Call (520) 889-1000
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Arizona Shuttle Service |
From Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to and from Tucson; campus location on Sixth Street and Park Avenue. Call (520) 795-6771
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SunTran Bus |
Public city bus service. Call (520) 792-9222 or visit www.suntran.com
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CatTran
ASUA SafeRide |
Free shuttle service around UA campus. Look for signs posted on corners and schedules. Call (520) 626-PARK (7275) SafeRide is a FREE door to door service sponsored by the Associated Students of the UofA. Simply call 621-SAFE(7233). Visit http://saferide.asua.arizona.edu |
