IU employees on the move

IU and Bloomington Transit have announced a new plan to allow all IU-Bloomington staff and faculty to ride campus and Bloomington buses for free. Riders will use passes issued by the University and Bloomington Transit and can use the buses for any ride, not just rides to and from campus. \n"The program is good year-round," said Bloomington Transit General Manager Lew May. "It may not even be a work related trip you're going on -- you might be going shopping or to a medical appointment, but faculty and staff can use Bloomington Transit for free." \nMay said the program might help commuting staff and faculty members get on campus faster and easier because it will allow them to avoid the typical commuting headaches.\n"Rather than having to deal with traffic, parking and high gas prices, this is a great alternative for faculty and staff to consider," May said. \nIU already has a system to issue passes, and Bloomington Transit has set up a Web site at which staff and faculty can apply for a pass. Passes won't be required to use campus buses, but city buses will require the pass. \nIU Campus Bus Operations Manager Perry Maull said in a press release that using the bus system is better than driving to work for several reasons. Beyond saving gas money, Maull said riding the bus gives people a chance to relax and get ready for the day. \n"You can work, you can read, you can use your laptop, or you can also just be mindless," Maull said in a statement. "It's a time to just not think -- to just chill." \nPasses are available at www.iubus.indiana.edu.