Permit Required to Ride Sugar Land Shuttle in Spring
UH Parking and Transportation Services has been working toward ensuring reliable Cougar Line shuttle service between UH and UH at Sugar Land for students who have classes at both locations.
At the start of the fall 2023 semester, the department added a fourth shuttle to serve peak class times, and still has not been able to address demand. This service is functioning as a Park and Ride service with peaks during the morning and evening rush hours, which was not the intent of this service.
After discussions that included Student Government Association leadership, the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee (TPAC), and Parking and Transportation Services leadership, TPAC recommended to UH administration the use of priority boarding for the UH at Sugar Land Cougar Line shuttle for the fall 2023 semester. That began at the start of October and will continue through the end of the fall semester.
Further discussions among the groups led to the recommendation of the implementation of a UH at Sugar Land shuttle permit. The UH System Board of Regents approved the recommendation at its Nov. 16 meeting. The shuttle permit will be required to ride the Sugar Land buses once they start running at the beginning of the spring semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the shuttle permit cost?
The cost of the shuttle permit will be $239 for the spring semester. However, students who are taking classes at the main campus and in Sugar Land can get it at no cost. Students who live on campus and are taking classes in Sugar Land can also get it at no cost. Students who have a valid UH parking permit can also get it at no cost (Please note: Those with a UH at Sugar Land parking permit will have to pay the difference in price).
Who can get a shuttle permit?
At this time, students who have classes in both locations or who live on campus and have classes in Sugar Land can get the shuttle permit during priority registration, which runs Monday, Nov. 27, at noon, until Friday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m. Any other student who wants a permit but does not fall under the priority registration criteria can get one starting Monday, Dec. 4, at noon. There will only be a limited number of shuttle permits available. Permits can only be purchased online through your myParking account in AccessUH.
How will the shuttle driver know if I have a shuttle permit?
Students will present their digital Cougar Card to be scanned by the Cougar Line shuttle drivers to determine if the individual has a valid shuttle permit.
How do I get my digital Cougar Card?
If you have a physical Cougar Card, then you should already be able to access your digital Cougar Card through the UH Go app. If not, then you will need to submit a photo of yourself to the Cougar Card office for approval. More information on how to do that can be found on the Cougar Card website.
What are my transportation options between campus and the UH at Sugar Land instructional site other than the UH at Sugar Land shuttle?
If you have classes on both campuses, your UH zone permit or garage permit are valid at UH at Sugar Land.
What is the best transportation option if I only have classes at the UH at Sugar Land instructional site?
You can purchase a UH at Sugar Land parking permit to park at this location. If you need to travel to the UH main campus occasionally, you may use your UH at Sugar Land parking permit to park in Zone E.
What if I did not receive the email about registering for a UH at Sugar Land shuttle permit?
If you did not receive the email from Parking and Transportation Services about registering for the UH at Sugar Land shuttle permit and you believe that you should be eligible for this service during the priority registration week, please email parking@uh.edu for instructions and next steps.
What are options for commuting from the Sugar Land area to the main campus, if I am unable to purchase a UH at Sugar Land shuttle permit and I only have classes at the main campus?
You can register for a parking permit through your parking account in AccessUH or METRO offers two direct routes to the main campus from the Mission Bend Transit Center – the Richmond and Beechnut buses. METRO also offers student discounted Q Cards, and for those students who qualify, you can register for the Coogs on Alternative and Sustainable Transportation service. Visit the COAST website to learn more about the bus and carpool COAST programs.