KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 17, 2026

With brand new buses and hundreds more parking spaces, big changes are coming to Kennesaw State University this fall. 

Students returning for the Fall 2026 semester will find a new bus fleet, streamlined routes and hundreds of additional parking spaces, designed to make travel to, from and between the University’s two campuses more reliable.

The improvements are part of KSU’s efforts to improve parking and transportation services and will include 26 buses serving the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses, parking areas and other key destinations. The fleet includes four environmentally friendly hybrid buses, 12 35-foot buses, six 29-foot buses, and four 20-seat buses. 

“Transportation plays an important role in the daily campus experience, and these improvements are designed to make getting around KSU easier and more dependable,” said Kelly Johnston, executive director of Campus Services. “From modernizing our fleet to increasing service in high-demand areas, we are continuing to look for ways to better serve our students, faculty and staff.” 

Students can stay up to date on parking and transportation upgrades through the Parking and Transportation News page. The Early Semester Parking Guide is a go-to resource for parking and transportation information during the first few weeks of the semester.

Since the start of the spring semester, KSU has added or converted almost 600 student parking spaces across both campuses — roughly 300 per campus. For the Kennesaw Campus, that includes a new student economy lot opening this fall at 1000 Gutenberg Drive, with a Big Owl Bus shuttling students to campus.

Beyond replacing buses, KSU has reworked routes to reduce travel and wait times. Stops that are close enough to walk between are being consolidated, allowing buses to move more quickly from the shuttle lots to campus and between Kennesaw and Marietta.

The Kennesaw-Marrietta route will now make stops at only: the Student Recreation and Activities Center and The Commons on the Kennesaw Campus, and the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center on the Marietta Campus. As a result, students will experience a reduction in trip and wait times. A new circulator route, the Marietta Loop, will take students around the Marietta Campus so that the Kennesaw-Marrietta buses can focus on moving students between campuses. 

Students can follow buses in real time through the Passio GO! app, available for both iOS and Android. After selecting Kennesaw State, riders can view routes, bus locations and the number of passengers aboard, which can help them anticipate whether an approaching bus may be full. The app also lists service start and end times instead of scheduled departures.

KSU’s partnership with CobbLinc has also added more options. Students can now ride four CobbLinc routes at no charge when their trips begin on the Kennesaw or Marietta campus by showing their KSU ID. The MyStop app provides CobbLinc bus locations and route information.

With thousands of students returning this fall, Johnston recommends budgeting extra travel time during the first three weeks of the semester. 

“Planning can make a big difference during the start of the semester,” Johnston said. “Allowing additional travel time, using the upper levels of the parking decks and becoming familiar with the Big Owl Bus system can help everyone begin the semester more smoothly.”

Here are some more tips for a smoother start to the semester:

●      Use the Early Semester Parking Guide, a great resource to help with transportation and parking as you ease into the semester. 

●      Give yourself extra travel time the first three weeks, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

●      Head to the upper levels of parking decks; spots are usually easier to find. 

●      Drive slowly and stay alert in the parking decks during class changes.

●      Download Passio GO! for live Big Owl Bus routes and passenger counts.

●      Use MyStop for CobbLinc routes and don't forget your KSU Talon Card for free rides.

●      Avoid citations by purchasing a permit, park in your assigned area, and keep your plate visible (no pull through parking). 

●      For short trips, try KSU Bike Share. Rides under an hour are free through the Movatic app.

●      Take advantage of our walkable campuses and walk when it's convenient.

 

Story by Christin Senior

Photography by Matthew O'Neill

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.