Magic city bus

Hope Schulte, News Writer

The wheels on the bus go round and round, especially for students in Cedar Rapids.

Students that attend theCedar Rapids CommunitySchool District (CRCSD),Kirkwood Community College or Coe College are now eligible for year-round, nocost rides on all fixedroute buses that are operated by Cedar Rapids Transit.

In order to qualify for a free ride, high school and college students must show their school ID. Free rides are also available in the evening until 6:15 p.m. Monday through Friday anduntil 4:15 p.m. on Saturdays.Buses could even run from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. tentatively starting in 2021 if plans are approved in the summer of 2020.

According to KCRG.com, “It’s not just going to be aspecific time of year that thepass can be used. This is for all bus routes at any hour that we operate so students can jump on and off anytime they need. This removes a big barrier for students to get around,” Brad DeBrower, the Cedar Rapids Transit Manager, said.

Each school has to pay a rate per student in order forthem to ride free. The CRCSDpays $50,000, Kirkwood College pays $20,000 and Coe College pays $3,600. For those who work at the schools, the amount of money is worth it in order to make public transit available to students.

“We try to reduce as many barriers as possible and transportation is one where we’re proud to have this relationship with the City of Cedar Rapids,” Troy Mcquillen, Kirkwood Vice President ofFacilities and Public Safety,said according to KWWL.com.

Students that attend otherhigh schools or colleges served by the Cedar Rapids Transit qualify for half price fares ($.75) with a valid ID. The half price fares include cash, a Day-Pass, a 10-Ride and a 31-Day Pass.

Students made up about15 percent of ridership on the Cedar Rapids Transit last year. DeBrower expects the percentage to be higher this year due to the new opportunities that have been placed in recent years.