By Glenn Fitzpatrick, UCDSU Communications Manager

• New shuttle bus service will connect the Smurfit campus in Blackrock to the main UCD Belfield campus
• Over 1,000 students set to benefit from improved access and new opportunities
• Launch follows SU survey and collaborative efforts of a number of UCD stakeholders

University College Dublin (UCD) and UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU) are excited to announce the launch of a new shuttle bus service that will bridge the gap between the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Blackrock and the main UCD Belfield campus.

The shuttle bus service will provide students with the opportunity to easily access amenities at the UCD Belfield campus, from libraries and recreational facilities to study spaces and cultural events. It will also encourage students and faculty to engage in a broader range of activities, both academic and extracurricular, furthering the mission of developing the UCD community.

The idea for the shuttle bus service was born out of a collaborative effort involving UCDSU, faculty, and a number of units within UCD. It comes in response to concerns about the disconnect between the Smurfit campus and the main campus. These concerns were laid bare in the results of the Smurfit Community Survey launched by UCDSU earlier this year.

Marc Matouc, Graduate Officer at UCDSU, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying:

“The launch of the shuttle bus service is a significant step forward, and we are delighted to have contributed to its realisation. Our goal is to improve the student experience of the 1,000+ students who primarily study at the Smurfit campus. This has the potential to make a real difference, providing easier access to resources and social opportunities, enhancing their overall academic journey, and fostering a greater sense of community.”

Professor Federica Pazzaglia, Director of UCD Smurfit School said:

“We are delighted to launch the new shuttle bus connecting the UCD Smurfit School in Blackrock to the main UCD Belfield campus. This initiative will add great value to our UCD College of Business community by allowing everyone to take advantage of the amenities at UCD’s Belfield campus and fostering stronger links and a sense of belonging.”

“Nurturing our community through new opportunities for engagement and actions that support our values is a key tenet of our new UCD College of Business strategy. By launching the shuttle bus we take a key step towards creating the infrastructure to meet these goals.”

“We would like to sincerely thank Marc Matouc, Graduate Officer at UCDSU, for his leadership and commitment to this project. We would also like to thank other UCD units who helped make this initiative a reality, including Registrar, UMT, Estates and leadership at UCD College of Business. Their dedication to fostering an environment of belonging is evident in the launch of this initiative.”

Read UCD Student Union UCDSU.ie article here

UCD Shuttle Bus Schedule