The Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit (SMART) system opened a new route on Friday night specifically designed for game day weekends.
The New South Weekend Friday Night Bus Route will run from 8 p.m. to midnight each Friday before a home football game.
The route follows the night route, which was cancelled a few years ago, beginning on campus at the Old Main Academic Center, making a loop with a stop in the Cotton District near Bin 612, a stop on Main Street at Restaurant Tyler, two stops on 182 at Rick’s Cafe and Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, and continuing the loop to campus.
It should take about 25 minutes for the bus to make the loop, depending on traffic.
“We’re excited that people have interest in helping us grow the whole system and we are looking forward to seeing how these work and how we can continue to offer these services throughout the city,” Director of Parking and Transit Services Jeremiah Dumas said.
All other routes provided by the SMART system end at 8 p.m., making the new route the only evening route currently available.
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said the route retraces the steps of the old evening route because it is where students frequently visit.
“Those are the places to go dancing, the places to listen to music, and the places to just generally have a nice weekend time out on the town,” Spruill said. “I was hoping to reinstate those locations and encourage the kids to come downtown.”