Updated Bus Service FAQs

SUMMER 2008

Can students now sign up for their bus pass?
Yes - Students who wish to ride the AUC bus service can now sign up online for their bus pass here.

Where can I find all the relevant bus information, including the latest news about the move to the new campus?
All the latest information, bus schedules, parking, move plan, photos, etc., are available online through the AUC On The Move e-newsletter and will be updated on a regular basis.

If I am a faculty or staff member and will need to commute to the new campus this summer, how can I sign up for one of the lines of the summer bus service?
Go to www.familytransport-auc.com/staff and fill in the required fields.  

What happens once I have signed up online for my summer bus pass?
Once you have signed up and filled in all the fields, you will automatically receive a confirmation e-mail. When your bus pass is ready, you will receive a second e-mail informing you that it is ready to be picked up.  The passes will be available at a desk set up just inside the Sheikh Rihan Gate (outside Ewart Memorial Hall) Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 am 3:00 pm.

Where can I find the faculty and staff summer bus schedules?
Click here for the latest bus schedule.

What time does the first bus leave from Tahrir Square to the new campus this summer?
There will be a bus leaving at 7.30 am from Tahrir to the new AUC campus every weekday (Sunday to Thursday) during the summer.

Why is there only one run once a day during the summer?
AUC’s summer bus service has been designed based on the move plan and progress of the construction; by necessity, it will be a limited service model during the summer.

Will the buses be operating on the weekends in the summer?
It is not expected that there will be a weekend service to the new campus during the summer months.The university is currently finalizing the weekend bus schedule for the fall and will make it available through AUC On The Move in the coming weeks.

Will the summer bus schedule be the same one as in the fall?
No – the reduced summer schedule will run from June to August.  The full bus service will begin operating in September.  Special services will be available in the last two weeks of August as pre-class activities begin.

When will the shuttle bus from Rehab to the new campus be available?
This AUC shuttle bus service that will be provided to AUC residents living in Rehab who are commuting to and from the new campus, will be available starting in September. It will be free of charge for AUC faculty and staff. Further details, including pickup point and schedule, will be made available in the coming AUC On The Move e-newsletters. Faculty and staff will have free access to parking during the summer months as their areas move to the new offices and before full bus service is operating; a valid AUC ID card will be required to gain vehicle access to campus parking.

Will the Maadi/Tahrir Square bus be running all summer? How much will it cost?
The current Maadi shuttle bus will continue service throughout the summer (including August during which it is normally not in service). In September, the Maadi-Tahrir Square Campus shuttle will continue on the same basis as it does now and it will be re-assessed at the end of November to ensure that the fares continue to cover the cost of the service.

How will the summer bus schedule accommodate faculty and staff and students who will be involved with the First Year Experience (FYE) from August 29 - 31?
Starting in August, the summer bus schedule will be adjusted according to the needs of AUC’s commuters and the activities and events held on the new campus. Special bus arrangements will be made to support special pre-class activities such as the FYE program.

ELIGIBILITY

Can students ride the bus service?
All students who buy a pass can ride the bus service to and from the new campus. It will be available for purchase both by semester and annually. The pass for undergraduate students will cost LE 3300 per year and for graduates LE 1320.

Will students on scholarships have to pay for their bus pass themselves or will it be covered by their scholarship?
There are some externally funded student scholarships that will cover the cost of a Student Bus Pass. If you are uncertain whether or not your scholarship falls into this category, please contact Amal Ibrahim, financial aid specialist, 2797.5109, at the Student Financial Affairs office. Scholarships paid through the AUC Tuition Benefit for Dependents (eligible dependents of faculty or staff) will not cover the cost of a student bus pass. Those scholarships are part of the university's operating budget, the majority of which is supported by tuition revenues.

Are LL.M (Master of Law) students allowed to ride the buses for free to go to AUC library?
Because the L.L.M. program is located on the Tahrir Square Campus and the use of the bus service is likely to be irregular, it is expected that a single-fare system will be available on that route to meet this need. Further details of this limited fare system will be announced shortly.

Are all staff members entitled to ride the bus?
Yes; however, they will have to sign up and carry a valid bus pass.

Can seasonal or part-time staff members ride the bus for free?
All staff members will have access to the bus system without charge.

Which faculty members can ride the bus?
All faculty that have registered for the bus, including part-time and adjunct, will be allowed to ride the bus without charge.

Can retired faculty/staff ride the bus service?
The AUC bus transportation to and from the new campus will be provided for students, faculty and staff. Once the service has stabilized and we are sure that the needs of students, faculty and staff are being effectively met, consideration of additional access by other members of the AUC community may be made; this is not likely to be until the service has been operating for at least one semester.

Will teachers in the School of Continuing Education be allowed to use the buses free of charge to go to the new campus and use the library?
Yes.

What has been decided regarding Fellows?
Full-time teaching and research fellows are considered faculty and will be able to obtain a bus pass on that basis.

Can I take my kids on the bus (if they are going to the AUC daycare center) and can they ride for free?
Yes – faculty and staff with a valid bus pass can bring their small children on to the bus without charge; for planning purposes, it will be important that the transportation office is aware of any such requirement when an individual obtains a bus pass.

Can alumni use the AUC transportation to the new campus? The AUC bus transportation to and from the new campus will be provided for students, faculty and staff. Once the service has stabilized and we are sure that the needs of students, faculty and staff are being effectively met, consideration of additional access by other members of the AUC community may be made; this is not likely to be until the service has been operating for at least one semester.

COST

How much does a student bus pass cost?
It will be available for purchase by semester and annually. For undergraduate students the pass will cost LE 3,300 per year or LE 1,650 per semester; for graduate students the pass will cost LE 1,320 per year or LE 660 per semester.

Does "annually" for the bus passes mean that they will only cover two semesters - the fall and spring semesters - or will they also include summer and winter?
The annual bus passes include the fall, winter, spring and summer semesters. A semester bus pass will cover September to the end of December or January to the end of August.  

Will the bus pass be by semester or by year?
The passes will be available for purchase both by semester and annually.

How is the bus fee calculated?
The bus fees are structured to contribute toward the high cost of operating such a comprehensive transportation system; however, the fees will not cover all of those costs. The costs are driven by the number of routes; the number of buses, of different sizes needed; the frequency of the service; the distance of the commute on different routes; the high standard and quality of the buses; the experience of the drivers; and ongoing operating and maintenance costs. Other private universities in Cairo were surveyed and the AUC bus fees are within the range charged by other universities.

Why should students have to pay for the bus and not faculty and staff?
The bus fees are structured to contribute toward the high cost of operating such a comprehensive transportation system; however, the fees will still not cover all of those costs. The costs are driven by the number of routes; the number of buses, of different sizes needed; the frequency of the service; the distance of the commute on different routes; the high standard and quality of the buses; the experience of the drivers; and ongoing operating and maintenance costs. The cost of the service is also driven by the need for maximum flexibility, primarily required by the varied schedule of students. Before setting bus fees, AUC surveyed other private universities in Cairo. The proposed fee policies reflect current practices throughout Cairo.

Will students on scholarships have to pay for their bus pass themselves or will it be covered by their scholarship?
There are some externally funded student scholarships that will cover the cost of a Student Bus Pass. If you are uncertain whether or not your scholarship falls into this category, please contact Amal Ibrahim, financial aid specialist, ext 5109, at the Student Financial Affairs office. Scholarships paid through the AUC Tuition Benefit for Dependents (eligible dependents of faculty or staff) will not cover the cost of a student bus pass. Those scholarships are part of the university's operating budget, the majority of which is supported by tuition revenues.

Do on campus students have to pay to ride the AUC bus service?
All students residing in the residence halls will get a bus pass, the fee for which will be included in their residence hall fees.

I commute from Alexandria to Cairo once a week (I'm working on my thesis); will I have to pay the whole fair as full-time students?
There are a small number of AUC students who travel from Alexandria once or twice a week. The bus service provider will be able to offer a limited service (likely from the train station to the new campus) on a cost-recovery basis. The details of that service will be announced shortly.

Will dependants of staff on scholarship have to pay for the bus?
It is expected that students who are dependants of staff or faculty and receiving a staff or faculty scholarship, will have to pay the proposed fare.

Do teaching assistants ride the bus free of charge?
Teaching assistants are considered students and as such they require a student bus pass.

Will Resident Assistants (RA) use the bus service free of charge?
Yes - Resident Assistants will have a bus pass provided as part of their residence arrangements.

FLEXIBILITY

How flexible will the bus service be? Can one mix and match bus lines? Can you ride a different bus route at a different time on any given day, depending on your schedule? In other words, can I mix and match bus routes and times according to my varying daily schedule?

Yes – the bus schedule allows for flexibility but requires some cooperation on the part of its riders. An AUC commuter with a valid AUC bus pass can ride the bus at a different time and route than he or she originally signed up for by making their timetable changes online 72 hours in advance, through the AUC transport web site at http://www.familytransport-auc.com/index.php.

However, for those situations where travel destinations, routes and times arise unexpectedly and the commuter has not changed his or her timetable online, this pass holder will be able to access another bus provided there are extra seats beyond those ‘reserved’ by scheduled riders. In other words, those with reserved seats on any given bus will be guaranteed a seat; all others will only be able to ride the bus based on availability.

There will also be a system of backup shuttle buses to add some flexibility for unexpected changes in schedule but availability of seating on such shuttle service cannot be guaranteed.

Will there be any option to buy individual tickets for those of us who plan on coming to the campus a limited number of times each week?
It is not expected that per diem or single tickets to ride the bus service to the new campus will be provided for all routes. Single fare tickets are expected to be available only for the Tahrir Square Campus - Kattimeya Campus route; pricing and purchase details will be announced over the summer on AUC On The Move.

BUS SERVICE OR PARKING PERMIT?

Can faculty and staff sign up for the bus and at the same time buy a parking permit?
Yes – however, in this case, the bus pass will not be free of charge. You will be able to change your selection during the fall semester once you determine whether you prefer to drive or take the AUC bus. 

Will a student have to choose either between purchasing a bus pass and or a parking permit?
No – students can opt for both the bus pass and the parking permit if they purchase both pass and permit. 

BUS SCHEDULE

Is the fall bus schedule final?
No – the preliminary fall bus schedule will be monitored and adjusted if and when needed in order to ensure maximum satisfaction and efficiency.  

Will the bus schedule reflect the Ramadan hours this fall?
Yes – the shuttle bus will be adjusted accordingly to suit the working hours and class timetable during the month of Ramadan. The university is currently finalizing the Ramadan bus timetable and will make it available through AUC On The Move in the coming weeks.

According to the fall bus schedule, the first bus arrives on campus at 8:10 am but will there not be 8:00 am classes?
Because Ramadan will be taking place when classes begin in September, classes will start at 8:00 am. The bus schedule for Ramadan will ensure arrival in time for the 8:00 am class time. That schedule will be made available through AUC On The Move in the coming weeks.

What will the bus schedule be on the weekends?
The bus will operate on Fridays and Saturdays, but with a limited frequency, based on the demand reflected in the transportation surveys. The university is currently finalizing the weekend bus schedule for the fall and will make it available through AUC On The Move in the coming weeks.

Why does the bus arrive at the new campus at 8:10 am when I start work at 8:30 am?
There are two main drop-off points for bus passengers on the new campus; one on each side. Arrival at 8:10 am will provide riders time to pass through security and arrive in their offices/classes by 8:30 am.

BUS ROUTES

Will there be an AUC shuttle between the new campus and downtown?
Yes. For a copy of the summer schedule click here.

Will the Maadi/Tahrir Square bus be running in the fall? How much will it cost?
In September, the Maadi-Tahrir Square bus will continue on the same basis as it does now. It will be re-assessed at the end of November to ensure that the fares continue to cover the cost of the service.

Will there be a shuttle bus from Rehab to the new campus?
An AUC shuttle bus will be provided to and from the new campus for the AUC residents living in Rehab. This bus service will only be available starting in September. It will be free of charge for AUC faculty and staff. Further details, including pickup point and schedule, will be made available on AUC On The Movein the coming weeks.

BUS PICKUP POINTS

Where can I find the different pickup points, routes, and bus lines, for the new campus bus service?
Click here for the latest bus lines and routes.

Will all the AUC community ride the same buses?
No - Staff who begin work at 7:30 am, such as custodial and security staff, will be using a separate bus system and will receive detailed information about that service directly.

There is no pickup point in Mohandiseen. You simply added the word Mohandiseen when in actual fact the pickup is in Dokki. Catching a taxi to and from that pickup point everyday is difficult, especially in the afternoon and crossing Gameat al Duwal street is very dangerous if one has to walk.
In selecting possible pickup points for each route, including Mohandiseen, a number of complex factors were taken into consideration, in particular the ability to get the required approvals from local authorities to use a location as a pickup point and the availability of parking at or near the pickup point and nearby access to public transportation routes. The bus pickup points and schedules will be continuously monitored and adjusted to ensure maximum satisfaction and efficiency.

None of the pickup points are really in Dokki. They are either in Agouza or in Mohandiseen. This is another half hour - 40 min drive for anyone living in Dokki. Although the distance is short, the traffic is usually very bad. How about a stop on Tahrir St., maybe next to Tahrir cinema or Dokki Square?
The Shooting Club was specifically selected as a starting point in order to accommodate AUC residents living both in Dokki and Mohandiseen. In selecting pickup points for each route, a number of complex factors were taken into consideration, in particular the ability to get the required approvals from local authorities to use a given location as a pickup point and the availability of parking at or near the pickup point and nearby public transportation routes. The bus pickup points and schedules will be continuously monitored and adjusted to ensure maximum satisfaction and efficiency.

BUS PASS SIGN-UP

Where do I sign up for my fall bus pass?
Online sign-up for the permanent student, faculty and staff bus passes for the fall will be made available in mid-July. Further details will be posted on AUC On The Move in the coming weeks. Staff and faculty whose offices are moving to the new campus can currently sign up for their temporary bus pass by going to http://www.familytransport-auc.com/staff/and filling in the required fields.

Can I ride the bus service in the fall with a summer bus pass?
No – the summer bus pass is a temporary one. Permanent passes for the 2008-2009 academic year will be available in mid-July and further details for signing up will be announced on AUC On The Move.  The full bus service will begin operating in September and detailed bus schedules for the 2008-2009 academic year will be available in coming issues of AUC On The Move. (Special services will be available in the last two weeks of August as pre-class activities begin).

BUSES

Will the buses be equipped with radios to contact a transportation center in the event of situations such as traffic accidents or medical emergencies aboard the bus? All buses will be equipped with communication equipment that will enable the driver to be in constant contact with route supervisors; emergencies can and will be reported immediately and appropriately responded to.

Will there be transportation available inside the new campus?
No – the campus is a pedestrian campus and is designed so that the longest distance between any two academic buildings is a 10-minute walk.

Can there be wireless Internet access on the buses so that faculty and staff can work during the commute time?
There are no plans to provide this service.