July 11, 2024
UOW to help keep Gong Shuttle running
Partners agree to continue funding popular free bus service for another three years
The University of Wollongong (UOW) welcomes the agreement to continue funding the fare-free Gong Shuttle bus service, announced today (Thursday 11 July) by acting NSW Minister for Transport Mr Ryan Park.
The free shuttle links the University’s Wollongong Campus with its Innovation Campus, Campus East student accommodation, the Wollongong CBD and beaches, the hospital precinct and to other key transport services. In 2023, it carried more than 2.2 million passengers.
UOW Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO welcomed the signing of a new three-year funding agreement for the popular service. The cost of the service is shared between Transport for NSW, Wollongong City Council and the University. UOW has been co-funding the Gong Shuttle since June 2018.
“The Gong Shuttle is a vital community asset that’s been servicing the city for 15 years and we are proud to partner with the NSW Government and Wollongong City Council to keep it running,” Professor Dewar said.
“This service is critical for our students and staff, but also for the community more broadly – helping people get to work, access education and enjoy everything Wollongong has to offer.
“It is also an important component of UOW’s sustainability agenda and has been successful in reducing congestion, pollution and parking problems at the University and across the city.”
The Gong Shuttle is the most popular public transport service used by University staff, students and visitors, accounting for nearly half of all public transport arrivals on campus.
On weekdays, the service is available every 10 minutes between 7am and 6pm, and every 20 minutes from 6pm to 10pm. On weekends, there’s a service every 20 minutes between 10am to 5pm.
UOW is committed to achieving carbon-neutrality by 2030 and encourages staff and students to use public and active transport (such as cycling) whenever possible.
The University recently introduced electric buses to its own free North Gong Shuttle route, which operates from North Wollongong train station to the Wollongong campus.
More than 25 per cent of UOW students, staff and visitors choose to catch one of the free shuttle bus services to the Wollongong campus.
UOW has also introduced other ongoing sustainability measures across its campuses, including recycling initiatives, water refill stations, electronic waste collection and mobile phone recycling, biodiversity initiatives and reducing plastic waste.
UOW Shoalhaven’s campus runs on 100 per cent renewable energy.
The new funding agreements, which started 1 July 2024 and will be in place until 30 June 2027, maintain the funding contributions from Transport for NSW, the University and the Council.