Cambus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cambus is a public transport bus system, primarily servicing Iowa City, IA. The service is operated by the Department of Parking and Transportation for the University of Iowa. Cambus is a free service to the public. All buses are outfitted with lifts to assist those with disabilities.
[edit] Company History and Details
Cambus was originally founded by University of Iowa students. The University of Iowa campus is divided into east and west halves by the Iowa River. Most Liberal Arts and Sciences classes take place on the east side of the river; thus the purpose of the new bus service was to facilitate easier transportation between the west-side dormitories and the east-side classrooms. At first there was no name for this service, so the founding students created a contest open to all U of I students to select one. "Cambus" was the name eventually chosen, and the winner (whose name has been lost to history) was awarded a free pizza.
The first Cambus buses were used school buses, repainted by Cambus employees. There were three different bus routes; Red Route, Blue Route, and the Interdorm Shuttle. Cambus also acquired a tralier, which was used as their main office; this was located in the Hancher Auditorium parking lot.
Currently, Cambus employs approximately 180 students. There are only six non-student employees who work specifically for Cambus: Brian McClatchey, the Cambus Coordinator; Pat Smith, the Maintenance Supervisor; and four full-time mechanics. All other employees, including drivers, dispatchers, trainers, mechanics and departmental supervisors, are students currently enrolled at the University of Iowa. Cambus also maintains a fleet of thirty-two buses; one Champion paratransit bus, three Orion Bus Industries paratransit buses, one Opus 30-foot low-floor bus, and 27 Gillig Phantom buses.
Cambus also has two different buildings on the University of Iowa campus. The main office is located on Stadium Drive, behind Kinnick Stadium. The Cambus Maintenance Facility, often called "The Barn" by employees, is located on S. Madison St.
[edit] Cambus Routes
Cambus currently has fifteen routes currently in service. Some primary stops are listed for each route; please note however that the stops listed are not the only stops for the given route. During Academic service (the Spring and Fall semesters), all routes run on weekdays, while Red, Blue, and Hawkeye-Interdorm run on the weekends. During Summer and Interim service, Mayflower Shuttle and Hawkeye Express are suspended, and Interdorm runs only until 10 am. There is also no weekend service during Interim, although Hawkeye-Interdorm runs weekends in Summer.
Red Route and Blue Route run virtually identical routes, but in opposite directions; Red goes clockwise, Blue counter-clockwise. They offer service to the Cambus Office and Lot 43, Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the VA Hospital, Hancher, the west- and east-side dorms, the Pentacrest, the Main Library, and the UIHC (via the South Hospital stop). They only service Mayflower Hall on the weekends, or after 7:30 pm on weekdays.
East Campus Shuttle is the shortest route run by Cambus. It services the Pentacrest, the Main Library, Lot 11, and the Cambus Maintenance Facility.
Hawklot/Hospital runs during the morning and evening rush hours. It services the Hawkeye Commuter and Storage Lot and South Hospital.
Hawkeye-Interdorm is the longest route. It services Mayflower Hall, the east- and west-side dorms, the Pentacrest, the Main Library, South Hospital, the Hawkeye Court and Hawkeye Lot apartments, and the Hawkeye Lot.
Hawkeye-Hospital services South Hospital, Carver, the VA hospital, the Hawkeye apartments, and the Hawkeye lot.
Hawkeye Express is essentially a stripped-down Hawkeye-Interdorm. Running only during morning and evening rush, it services the Hawkeye Apartments, the Hawkeye Lot, and the Pentacrest.
Interdorm services Mayflower, the east- and west-side dorms, the Pentacrest, and the Main Library.
Mayflower Shuttle is a slightly-shortened Interdorm route. It services Mayflower, the east-side dorms, and the Pentacrest. Another route, the West Dorm Shuttle, formerly serviced the Pentacrest, the Main Library, and the west-side dorms; however, this route is no longer in service.
Hospital, also known as Hospital-Finkbine/Arena, services South Hospital and the Finkbine and Arena Commuter Lots. It is also the first route to go into service on weekdays, beginning at 4:30 am.
Hospital Shuttle is run from 5:35 am to 6:30 am weekday mornings. It services the VA hospital and the Finkbine/Arena lots. This route ends service once Pentacrest begins.
Hospital via Hancher runs from 7 am to 8:15 am weekdays. It services the VA hospital and Hancher.
Hancher Shuttle offers service to the Pentacrest, the east-side dorms, Hancher, and the Main Library. It runs weekdays during evening rush.
Pentacrest services the Pentacrest, Hubbard Park, the VA hospital, Carver, and the Finkbine/Arena lots.
Oakdale is the only route that goes through Coralville. It services the VA Hospital and the Oakdale Campus. It is also the only route that is not truly free to the public. Because Oakdale goes through areas normally serviced by Coralville Transit, anyone who boards the bus at a Coralville stop must present a special bus pass to board the Oakdale bus. These passes can be purchased at the Coralville City Hall or Coralville Public Library.
