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Following a national search, Brian Atkinson has been named Executive Director of UAB Transportation. He has extensive knowledge & experience with UAB, as he has served for more than four years as UAB Transportation's Program Manager for Transportation Demand Management and as Co-Interim Executive Director of Transportation.

Parking permits for the Spring 2023 semester will be available for purchase through the UAB Transportation website beginning 8 a.m. Dec. 1. You can find a full list of permit options, as well as pricing, on the Student Parking page.

UAB Transportation will continue to offer zone parking options. Please visit the interactive student parking map to note changes to various parking zones.

In preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday, please take note of the changes to several of UAB Transportation’s services.

In observance of Labor Day, there will be no Blazer Express bus, Highlands Shuttle, or MARS service on Monday, Sept. 5.

The nighttime Safety Escort van service will operate as normal on both Sunday, Sept. 4 and Monday, Sept. 5. Medical center employees with permits in the Express parking lots should follow the normal holiday parking plan and use the 6th Avenue Parking Deck.

UAB Blazer Express will operate its free shuttle service between campus and Protective Stadium beginning with the Thursday, Sept. 1 football game. To accommodate transporting fans, the North Green, South Green, and Purple routes will end service at 3 p.m. All three routes will resume normal operations the following morning.

The Football Gameday Express shuttle service will operate throughout the 2022 football season for all home games. The complimentary shuttles run continuously from the Hill Student Center to the BJCC Exhibition Hall – one block from Protective Stadium. The service begins four hours prior to kickoff and ends one hour after each game. More details can be found by visiting Blazer Gameday.

In observance of the Independence Day holiday, the UAB Transportation Office will be closed on Monday, July 4. As such, there will be no Blazer Express bus, Highlands Shuttle, or Motorist Assistance Roadside Service (MARS) on this day.

Medical center employees with permits in the Express parking lots should follow the normal holiday parking plan and use the 6th Avenue Parking Deck. The nighttime Safety Escort van service will only be available by calling 205-934-8772 on Saturday and Sunday (July 2 and July 3).

The Blazer Express South Green route is suspended for the duration of The World Games. Service ended starting Thursday, July 7, and will resume on Monday, July 18.

In observance of the Juneteenth holiday, the UAB Transportation office will be closed. As such, there will be no Blazer Express bus, Highlands Shuttle, or Motorist Assistance Roadside Service (MARS) on Monday, June 20.

The nighttime Safety Escort van service will operate as normal. Medical center employees with permits in the Express parking lots should follow the normal holiday parking plan and use the 6th Avenue Parking Deck.

The Birmingham Xpress (BX), a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, is currently under construction and will enable pedestrians to travel quickly and easily across the city. BRT can travel as fast as light rail, but at approximately one-third of the construction costs. The buses will have dedicated lanes through portions of downtown, which will eliminate on-street parking along 5th Avenue South between 8th and 18th streets on the northeast end of campus.

Because of the reduced on-street parking options, it’s important employees, visitors, and students are aware of the options available to them. The UAB Transportation team is focused on providing resources to ensure everyone can get to, from and around campus as easy as possible. You will rarely be able to park directly next to your destination, but you have many options to complete your trip.

In observance of Memorial Day, there will be no Blazer Express bus, Highlands Shuttle, or MARS service on Monday, May 30.

The nighttime Safety Escort van service will operate as normal on both Sunday, May 29 and Monday, May 30.

Medical center employees with permits in the Express parking lots should follow the normal holiday parking plan and utilize the 6th Avenue Parking Deck.

Parking permits for the fall semester and academic year will be available for purchase beginning 8 a.m. June 1. Information on options and pricing is already available on the Student Parking page. UAB Transportation will continue to offer zone parking options. 

Automotive Services will be temporarily closed Monday, March 21st to Wednesday, March 23rd. Please contact UAB Transportation at 205-934-3513 if you need immediate assistance during this time.

Follow UAB Transportation on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date information and announcements. 

Parking permits for the Summer 2022 semester will be available to order through the UAB Transportation website beginning 8 a.m. April 1. You can find a full list of permit options, as well as pricing, on the Student Parking page.

This year, fall and academic year permits will be available for purchase beginning 8 a.m. June 1. Information on options and pricing is already available on the Student Parking page.

Several UAB Transportation services will be suspended in observance of UAB's Spring Break, March 14-20. 

Beginning Feb. 4, the City of Birmingham will expand construction of Birmingham Xpress Bus Rapid Transit stops and stations downtown, which could impact traffic flow. This work will be performed without totally shutting down 5th Avenue South or 18th Street. One lane will be open at all times. The project is expected to be completed by no later than April 1.

Beginning January 3, Motorist Assistance Roadside Service (MARS) will operate from 7:30 a.m. at 4:30 p.m. until further notice. This temporary change comes in response to recent labor shortages. We hope to resume regular hours as soon as possible.

Follow UAB Transportation on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date information and announcements. 

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, UAB Transportation will suspend services Monday, January 17.

If you’re going to be on campus during the winter holiday, you should be aware of changes to UAB Transportation’s MARS service.

Due to an expected lack of ridership over the winter break, Blaze Ride will be suspending service beginning Monday, December 13 through Friday, January 7, 2022. The Blaze Ride service will resume normal service beginning Monday, January 10, 2022. Eligible users should contact UAB Transportation to make special arrangements during this timeframe.

Beginning December 13, the Blazer Express North Green, South Green, and Purple routes will not be in service during the winter break. The routes will resume normal operations on the first day of the Spring semester, January 10.

The UAB Transportation office will be open weekdays 7:30 to 5 p.m. – excepted during UAB designated holidays. If you have questions or specific transportation needs, contact UAB Transportation at 205-934-3513 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We also respond to questions through our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Parking permits for the Spring 2022 semester will be available for purchase through the UAB Transportation website beginning December 1 at 8 a.m. You can find a full list of permit options, as well as pricing, on the Student Parking page.