Inside Iowa State

Aug. 12, 2005

How about the bus?

by Anne Krapfl

Boarded a CyRide bus on campus lately and been told you didn't have to pay the fare? Surprised to hear ISU students talk about riding any route in Ames for free?

If you haven't tried the bus in a few years, or would like an alternative to driving and parking, keep reading. The parking division of the ISU public safety department has negotiated some services with CyRide, to encourage bus use among ISU employees and reduce the demand on campus parking lots.

Half-price semester pass

CyRide semester passes are available to faculty and staff for $65 per semester, half the usual pass price. The parking division subsidizes the price. Fall semester passes are valid Aug. 16. A special "winter season" pass (valid Nov. 5 to March 20, 2006) costs faculty and staff $60, or half the usual pass price. Passes are sold at the CyRide office (Elwood Drive and Sixth Street) and the University Book Store; show a university ID to get the reduced price. Faculty and staff with a credit card also may call Joanne at the CyRide office, 292-1100, who will mail the pass to a home or office address.

Fare-free rides for ISU students

Several years ago, ISU students approved a referendum for a mandatory CyRide student fee for all students (currently $48.50 per semester, per student). In exchange, students may board CyRide at any location in town by displaying their current student IDs. Faculty and staff do not pay that fee and so, without a semester or month pass, don't have access to the all-you-can-ride service.

Orange route shuttle

The orange route, the shuttle service for commuters who park in the Iowa State Center lots, traditionally has been funded by the parking division. Because of its route, it also is a popular way to get across campus. There is no cost to anyone who boards an orange route bus.

Free boarding on campus

It also costs nothing to board any CyRide route -- from a campus bus stop. To help speed loading of all CyRide routes on campus, ISU parking and CyRide officials worked out an arrangement that allows everyone to ride a CyRide bus for no cost, when they board at a campus stop. By not sorting students from others who must pay fees, the boarding process is quicker and traffic on campus is less congested.

For more information about riding CyRide to work, contact Doug Houghton, manager of the parking division, 4-1987.

The parking division of the ISU public safety department has negotiated some services with CyRide, to encourage bus use among ISU employees and reduce the demand on campus parking lots.