New RIT shuttle fleet arrives with a look designed by students

RIT's new shuttle fleet begins rolling across campus today, featuring a bold new look created by students and shaped by student feedback.

The university entered a 10-year transportation partnership with WeDriveU in 2025 to provide more reliable and consistent shuttle service for the RIT community. During the first year of the partnership, a transitional fleet of white shuttles served the campus. The new RIT-owned vehicles are now in service, combining that focus on reliable transportation with a look that is distinctly RIT.

“The investment in new shuttles represents more than a fleet upgrade. They reflect our commitment to providing safe, reliable transportation while also listening to the students who use the service every day. said John Connelly, director of parking and transportation services. The student-designed look gives the fleet a stronger RIT identity, and I’m proud that this project brought together operations, student feedback and campus pride in such a visible way.”

While the updated graphics are the most visible change, the new fleet reflects a broader effort to improve the shuttle experience. Over the past year, Parking and Transportation Services (PATS) and Student Government worked together to advance shared priorities for campus transportation, including reliable service, greater transparency and a better overall rider experience.

PATS has worked closely with Student Government to better understand the student transportation experience. That partnership has created a regular channel for student feedback, giving PATS insight into what is working, where concerns exist and where improvements can be made.

Feedback also played an important role in shaping the fleet’s new look. Multimedia Graphic Design student employees in the Finance and Administration Office of Experience and Communications brought their knowledge and expertise to the shuttle designs, using RIT’s brand platform as the foundation for their work. 

The student team rode the shuttles, talked with riders about their experiences, and surveyed their peers, promoting the survey through posters across campus and social media. Together, that research helped the designers understand how students experience the shuttle system and what they wanted to see reflected in its new look. One message came through clearly: Students wanted more tiger and more personality. 

That feedback was incorporated into the final concepts, with the student employees refining the designs to reflect a stronger sense of connection and school pride.

“It was really cool to take what we’ve been learning in class and use those skills on a project that people will see around campus,” said Enzo del Carmen, fourth-year New Media Design student. “It gave us experience working on a real project from start to finish and something meaningful we can add to our portfolios.” 

As the new shuttles begin serving campus, they are also a reminder of the impact students can have on the campus experience, both by contributing their skills and by sharing their feedback. Responding to surveys helps RIT understand student experiences and make thoughtful improvements to the services students use every day. 

For more information about RIT shuttle routes, visit rit.edu/parking/campus-shuttles.