Dec 10, 2014 03:32 PM EST By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Starting next fall, Brigham Young University student s will have a more pedestrian-friendly campus.

School officials announced earlier this week that the university will provide a shuttle service to campus at no cost to student riders, and will limit parking on campus. The shuttle will operate from five routes off campus.

"We believe this new initiative will be an incentive to our students to use alternative modes of transportation, whether it is the shuttle, UTA's services, bikes, the university car-sharing program or walking," Janet Scharman, vice president of student life, said in a statement.

In order to provide for the shuttle, the university will begin charging students to park in the majority of student lots on campus -- a common practice for most major universities, including those in Utah. Students will be charged $60 per semester for an on-campus parking permit. This will not begin until September of 2015.

"We believe a shuttle will help provide a convenient and efficient transportation option for our students, which we hope will reduce the need for students to bring cars to campus and eventually to Utah Valley," Scharman said. "We are working closely with Provo City and UTA (Utah Transit Authority) to provide greater travel options for the members of our campus community and to reduce traffic congestion."

For students who drive to campus but do not want to buy a parking permit, the school will make available three free lots on the perimeter of campus. Valid parking permits must still be obtained to use these lots. Additionally, students will not have to pay to park during spring and summer terms when the shuttle will not be in operation.

The shuttle service will be operated by The Ryde, a private company the school has been working with for the past three years. The Ryde, which uses natural gas for its busses, has been providing a paid service from select off-campus areas to campus. 

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