Starlight Shuttle
Starlight Shuttle
Download the Starlight App!
About the Starlight Shuttle Program
The Starlight Shuttle gives Western students a ride after WTA buses stop running for the day.
- Free to ride — funded by the Active Transportation Fee, no extra fare
- On-demand — picks you up where you are, drops you where you're going
- Service area — a geofenced zone with roughly a 5-mile radius around campus
Hours of Operation
The shuttle runs Monday to Saturday from 10:30 pm-2:30 am, and Sunday from 9:30 pm-1:30 am.
How to Ride
Request a ride by:
- using the WWU Starlight Shuttle app, or
- by calling Starlight Shuttle dispatch 360-650-2400 (a dispatcher is available Thursday-Sunday, AI voice agent available 7 days a week)
For pick up, be in a visible location and show the driver your Western card upon boarding.
Service may be canceled when weather causes dangerous road conditions. Please refer to Safety and Emergency Information | Western Washington University or the Starlight Shuttle app rider announcements.
Service Calendar
| Calendar Item | Service Status |
|---|---|
| Sunday Before Fall Quarter Classes Begin | Shuttle Service Begins |
| Thanksgiving Break | No Service from Thursday-Saturday of Thanksgiving break. Service resumes that Sunday at 9:30pm. |
| Winter Break | No service beginning on Sunday at end of finals week. Service restarts on the Sunday before the first day of classes. |
| Spring Break | No service beginning on Sunday at end of finals week. Service restarts on the Sunday before the first day of classes |
| Memorial Day | Service begins at 11:00 a.m. |
| Day before of June Commencement | Last day of service for the academic year |
| Summer Quarter | No shuttle service |
| Extreme Weather Conditions | For up-to-date information, call 360-650-2400 |
For information on our free shuttle to WinCo, visit the Grocery Shuttle Page for more information.
Rules & Policy - Be Sure to Read These Before Using the Service!
These guidelines were developed by Western students for student comfort and safety.
- Be respectful of the driver and other passengers, wear headphones if listening to music and keep cell phone calls brief. Abstaining from profanity is expected.
- No threatening or harassing the driver or other passengers.
- Non-alcoholic beverages are allowed, if they are in a closed container.
- Food can be carried on but not consumed in the shuttle. Please keep food in a closed container or wrapper.
- One guest is allowed per Western student, and they are responsible for their guest's behavior.
- WWU is a smoke/vape free campus. No smoking, vaping, or alcohol/drug use of any kind will be permitted on board.
- Riders must remain seated and wear seatbelts when the shuttle is in motion.
- The shuttle will wait 3 minutes past the given pick-up time before proceeding to the next ride.
- When masks are required in interior spaces on campus, they are required on the shuttle.
The guidelines above are in place to ensure that all drivers and riders of the Starlight Shuttle have a safe and enjoyable experience. The driver’s primary job is to operate the shuttle safely. If problems arise on the shuttle, the driver’s priority is to determine if a passenger’s safety or security is at stake. The role of the driver is that of a peacekeeper, not an enforcer. Enforcement of the above is carried out through a network of professionals that can be called upon by the driver when needed.
Each no-show in a quarter adds to your count. Consequences step up gradually. For each quarter your count resets to zero when a new academic quarter begins. You are notified of your count every time, and warned before any suspension of shuttle use. Emergencies do not count; illness, emergencies, and accessibility needs are excused - just let us know.
| No-Show in a Quarter | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Recorded only, nothing happens. |
| 3rd | You get a warning notice with your current count. |
| 4th | 7 day suspension of shuttle use. |
| 5th | 14 day suspension of shuttle use. |
| 6th and each after | 30 day suspension of shuttle use. |
Items left on the shuttle will be taken to the Campus Services building at the corner of Bill McDonald Parkway and 21st Street. They can be claimed M-F from 8 am -4 pm. Contact the Shuttle Operations Manager at 360-650-2171 to claim lost items.
Drivers reserve the right to refuse service to any person who does not observe policies, shows the potential to cause harm to themselves or others, or interferes with vehicle safety.
Both audio and video recordings are maintained while the shuttle is in use. This is to monitor safe driving practices, increase safety, address complaints, and conduct investigations when illegal or non-compliant activities or behavior is suspected.
See the full Starlight Shuttle Privacy Notice here.
The Starlight Shuttle service has no affiliation with Whatcom Transportation Authority.
Common Questions
No, rides will be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
It is possible that the shuttle can pick you up, however not guaranteed. To secure a ride, use the app or call dispatch at 360-650-2400.
No, the shuttle can try to accommodate your request, but in order to fairly serve all users the driver may require you to complete your ride and submit a new request or you may cancel your ride.
Yes if you are both getting picked up from the same location and dropped off at the same location. If you have different drop-off or pick-up locations you each will individually need to book your ride.