A lunchtime shuttle went into service this week between campus and downtown Davis.

The U-DASH minibus shuttle is free through July 31; then, starting Aug. 3, the fare will be $1 round trip. And although Unitrans is providing the drivers and bus maintenance, the shuttle is not technically a Unitrans operation — therefore the $1 fare will apply to everyone, including students.

The fares make up only part of the U-DASH funding, with the rest coming from the Downtown Davis 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. The buses are powered by natural gas.

The U-DASH shuttle service began June 15 with the white minibuses leaving every 10 minutes from 11 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. Monday through Friday, from the north side of Shields Library.

U-DASH makes 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)

Map: unitrans.ucdavis.edu (look under “News and Updates”)