We’ve got a nice product, he said.

Passengers on the Saluki Express have given kudos to the buses.

You can’t beat it, William Tippin, an Arena employee said. It’s hot outside, but it’s cool in here.

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Kevin Lynch, a senior in social work from Chicago, said the system is a quality service offered by SIUC.

It’s one of the best things I’ve seen done since I’ve been here, he said. I don’t have a car, so it’ll come in real handy.

Lowell Howard, a Carbondale resident, said he plans on using the system a lot because the system will provide the cheapest transportation available..

It’s going to save me a lot of money, he said.

The system is not perfect, however. The buses fell behind schedule several times when drivers used the wheelchair lifts that make the service accessible for disabled people. Officials say this problem will diminish with time.

The drivers will get quicker (at using the lift) with practice, said Lawrence Juhlin, assistant vice president of student affairs.

The Saluki Express will run seven different routes Monday through Friday beginning at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 9:30 p.m. The business loop which connects the SIUC campus with area businesses will run seven days a week.

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There are also two different late-night routes:One for Monday through Friday and another for Friday and Saturday. The late night routes will start at 9 p.m. and run until midnight. On Friday and Saturday the late night route will run until 2:30 a.m.

After dark the service will stop anywhere a person requests along a route as long as the driver believes it is safe to do so.

SIUC students with a valid student ID card will not be charged to ride the Saluki Express. Spouses and children of students can buy a semester pass for $20. A semester pass costs $25 for Continuing Education students and $30 for anyone else, including SIUC faculty and staff. Single bus rides cost 50 cents.

The system is funded by a $25-per-semester fee increase that students have approved in three referendums since 1986. Revenue from fares and pass sales will also support the system.

Ridership will be monitored, and routes and stops that are not used much may be discontinued, Juhlin said. New routes and stops also may result from the monitoring.

Meanwhile SIUC students are enjoying the mobility the Saluki Express gives them.

I’m going to the mall just because I can, Lynch said.