Free rides around Bloomington, campus

Students looking for a way around campus or Bloomington can ride any campus, Bloomington Transit or Express Lines of Rural Transit bus free with a student ID next week.\nAfter Free Ride Week, IU embarks on the second phase of a three-year universal bus plan, in which a mandatory fee will fund increased options for bus transportation.\nThe new service, effective Aug. 27, will allow students to ride the IU bus system's Stadium Express route free with a student ID. The route runs from the White Lot of Memorial Stadium to bus shelters in front of the Indiana Memorial Union and IU Auditorium. Five buses will run the route.\nStudents may also ride the Late Night Shuttle, which runs from 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. The Student Recreational Sports Center route from Memorial Stadium will also be available to students free of charge. \nLast year students were charged about $21 per semester for the program's first phase, which allowed students to ride Bloomington Transit routes with a student ID. \nWith the addition of this year's services, students will now pay $27.66 per semester, said Maggie Whitlow, executive director of transportation services.\nStudents must still purchase a campus bus pass to ride all other IU routes. Campus bus passes are currently offered for $107 per semester or $158 per year. Single ride fare is 75 cents. \nA list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning the implementation of the U-Pass may be found at www.bloomingtontransit.com and www.iubus.indiana.edu.