Saluki Express, Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s public transit system, has changed its provider and routes due to a revised federal government transportation classification and a funding restructuring resulting from the 2020 Census. Saluki Express provides safe and reliable transportation options for students, faculty, staff, and community members in Carbondale and the entire region.
The Jackson County Mass Transit District will begin providing service on Tuesday, August 13. SIU students will ride with their student ID, which they will need to show to the driver (card-reading technology will be available soon). Faculty, staff and community members will need to purchase a fare to ride the buses. They can do this by calling JCMTD at 618-549-0304.
There will be four regular bus routes:
- Saluki Route – a 30-minute loop that essentially circles all of SIU’s major residential areas and numerous locations on campus.
- Pyramid Route – provides service around campus and to the west side of Carbondale with stops at the Southern Illinois Airport and Murdale Shopping Center.
- Sahara Route – provides service around campus and to the east side of Carbondale with stops at Carbondale Community High School and various retail stores including Kroger, Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree.
- Nile Route – a loop from the south side of Carbondale to the center of campus.
Saluki Night Shuttle, formerly Night Safety Transit, continues to offer students rides from 7 p.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday, except during the summer when rides are from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The shuttle does not run on holidays and Sundays. Students can make reservations up to 24 hours in advance or by 11:30 p.m. the day of the ride by calling 618-549-0304, although early reservations are recommended.
Paratransit services will not change. Students with short- or long-term issues that affect their ability to travel may contact the Office of Access and Accommodations to have services approved.
The RIDES Mass Transit District, which formerly covered the Saluki Express, will continue to transport SIU students to Veterans Memorial Airport.
A new app is under development and will be announced at a later date. Officials ask drivers to be patient during the transition period.
For more information, including maps of all bus routes, visit the Saluki Express website. For more information, email [email protected] or call 618-453-2561.
