Universal plan to be implemented

This fall students will be able to use the campus bus service and Bloomington Transit by presenting their student ID rather than a bus pass. Unlimited access to both services is part of a universal bus plan approved by the board of trustees in May 2000 and is in the second year of a three-year phase.\nWith a pre-paid transportation fee, the plan will allow students to use both bus services next year upon showing a student ID.\nStudents currently pay a semester transportation fee of $27.66 which allows them to ride Bloomington Transit buses by presenting their student ID.\nA study by the Metropolitan Area Planning Organization in Bloomington is currently reviewing both bus systems to find a more efficient way in providing services and possibly reducing the cost of fees, Jim Hosler, director of Campus Bus Service, said.\n"Results from the study will be used to determine next year's transportation fee, which will hopefully be reduced for students," Hosler said.\nCampus bus service to Assembly Hall and the Student Recreational Sports Center were added to the universal plan this year, but even more routes will continue to be added, said Lew May, general manager of Bloomington Transit.\nBeginning Jan. 8, a late night bus service will also be provided by the pre-paid transportation fee for students who feel unsafe walking around at night, May said. \nBloomington Shuttle Service will run two routes on campus picking up students every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m until 3 a.m.\n"The universal bus program will especially benefit for students who live on campus," Sophomore Jonathan Greenwald said. "But it depends on what the study shows. It could be beneficial for both students and the university to keep the bus pass"