U-DASH, the lunchtime shuttle between the university and downtown Davis, started out June 15 as a free service — as a way to introduce U-DASH to the campus community.

But, even after the $1 round-trip fare kicks in Aug. 3, you can still essentially ride for free, and here is how: You pay your $1 upfront, and then visit any of the many businesses (restaurants and more) that are offering $1 discounts for U-DASH riders, subject to minimum purchase or other restrictions.

The one-way fare is 50 cents, or 25 cents for senior citizens and disabled people.

U-DASH is scheduled to operate through 2009-10. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, with shuttles departing every 10 minutes from the north side of Shields Library, and making four stops, in this order, after leaving campus:

• Second Street between D and E streets

• G Street between Second and Third streets

• Third and E streets

• First and D streets (last stop before returning to Shields Library)

The fare is 50 cents each way. Other funding comes from the Davis Downtown Business Association, the city of Davis and the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District. ASUCD is providing the minibuses, which are normally used for Tipsy Taxi service.

Unitrans provides the drivers, but U-DASH is not a Unitrans service. Therefore, Unitrans passes and student registration cards are not valid for free rides.

U-DASH map: unitrans.ucdavis.edu (look under “News and Updates”).

Unitrans makes changes for 2009-10.