Beginning July 1, University Parking Services (UPS) will begin operating a free weekday shuttle to the California State University, East Bay Hayward campus for students, faculty and staff.

In January 2009, UPS began contracting with the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District to allow students and employees to ride cost-free on the bus lines that served the Hayward campus and Hayward BART station, replacing the Hillhopper shuttle.

In a message to the university community, Chris R. Brown, associate vice president of Enterprise Operations & Foundation, said, "The purpose behind this contract was to help alleviate parking demand on campus by providing students and employees with a free shuttle service to the Hayward BART station. Unfortunately, AC Transit is no longer willing to continue this contract due to financial considerations."

AC Transit will still operate Line #60, with service between Hayward BART and CSUEB's Hayward campus; and Line #22, with service between Hayward BART, South Hayward BART, Southland Mall and Chabot College. Effective July 1, all passengers must pay the regular AC Transit fees. The Bay Card will no longer be accepted as payment.

The CSUEB shuttle service, operated by a private transportation company, will offer a direct route between Warren Hall and the Hayward BART station. The shuttle will be identified with a CSUEB logo on the entry door. A current, valid University ID is required for all passengers. Visitors and guests will need to use AC Transit or other transportation to reach the Hayward campus.

The shuttle will run Monday through Friday on regular university business days, but due to cost considerations, the shuttle will not operate on weekends, holidays or campus closure days. The AC Transit bus #60 will continue to run on weekends and holidays.

In his message, Brown said that the shuttle program is funded by parking citation revenues, which cannot be used for any expenses other than parking enforcement or alternative transportation endeavors.