Returning RPI students may notice a number of changes in the parking policy that were implemented this year because of ongoing construction on the south end of campus.

In an effort to conserve parking space students with freshman status are no longer permitted to park cars on campus.

Those students can use the CDTA shuttle buses to commute around Troy and the surrounding neighborhoods, since all RPI students can ride CDTA buses for free by showing the driver their student ID card.

However, because some students may have an extraordinary need to register a vehicle on campus, first-year students may fill out and submit a petition form for parking at http://www.pt.rpi.edu.

Lots designated for use only by faculty/staff this year include the North Lot (except for the yellow striped sections), the Armory Lot, the Commons West Lot, the Hall Hall Lot, some of the Sharp Lots near West Hall, the Academy Hall Lots, and some of the East Cogswell Lots.

New this fall, the Red Hawk shuttle service from the Houston Field House to main campus will operate continuously from 7am-11 pm Monday through Friday.

It will make stops at B-lot, E-lot, C-lot, D-lot, the JEC, and the Rensselaer Union before returning to the Field House.

Another Redhawk shuttle route to downtown Troy was created because of the recent displacement of Marketing and Media Relations to the Hedley Building.

Operating from 8:35am - 3:35pm Monday through Friday buses on the downtown route will depart from the Hedley Building and make stops at the Heffner Alumni House, the JEC, and Academy Hall, before returning to the Hedley Building.

Since the two shuttle routes began service a few days ago, the Office of Parking and Transportation has received “very positive feedback from the students that used the Redhawk shuttle,” said Carol Wagar, coordinator of parking.

“[The shuttle] is fairly convenient. They are always nice and are always there,” said RHAPS apartment resident, Julie Kalanick ‘04.