THE University of Newcastle has given more clarity about its move to the city campus in July, including park-and-ride options from Callaghan, a shuttle bus service and the introduction of a ride-sharing app.
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In a series of “smart, integrated transport solutions” for students and staff moving to the $95 million NeW Space campus in the second semester, the university has developed park-and-ride facilities with more than 300 parking bays.
An exclusive shuttle bus service will run between NeW Space – criticised as having too little parking for its students, business and law, and creative industries staff – and the old Callaghan campus.
And after starting a trial last year, the university will launch the ride-sharing app Liftango.
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education John Germov said the new campus would encourage the city’s use of public transport.
“We need to recognise that we are a city and university in transition, and there will be more people travelling into the city,” he said.
“We are actively encouraging staff and students to consider a range of travel options, and we know that some staff will wish to change to more sustainable modes of transport, such as walking, cycling and public transport.”
The university has also released a paper on staff relocating to NeW Space, after three years of consultation.
Professor John Germov said the city move, as outlined in the paper, would allow “working environments that are contemporary and fit for the future worlds of education and research, emphasising collaboration and engagement”.
The National Tertiary Education Union has criticised the university’s open-plan new campus, which the union says is unsuitable for academic work.
At a staff committee meeting in February, the union raised business and law staff concerns that there won’t be enough work spaces at NeW Space, which they perceived as a sign of potential job losses.
The union’s Lance Dale said any future staff relocation should be subject to a formal change process.