If you have ever thought public transit is confusing, we have good news. Step-by-step direction are just a few clicks away. CAMBUS transit routes and schedules are now integrated with Google Maps. Input a starting location, end destination, and desired arrival time, then let Google plan your trip.
The project to integrate the state’s fixed-route transit services with Google Maps is an Iowa DOT led initiative. CAMBUS, Iowa City Transit, and Coralville Transit routes and schedules are fully integrated for public use. Information on how to use the transit feature, including a short video demo, are available on the CAMBUS website at transportation.uiowa.edu/googlemaps.
“You can familiarize yourself really quickly with your options to use transit to travel through the community,” says Brian McClatchey, CAMBUS manager. “Google Maps can make it pretty easy for students to plan trips for running errands or exploring Iowa City and Coralville using transit.”
The integration will not replace the features that Bongo provides like real-time bus locations and anticipated departure times. “Google Maps is a great trip planning tool but riders should continue to use Bongo and the CAMBUS website for details and alerts,” says Mia Brunelli, CAMBUS operations supervisor.
Parking and Transportation’s UPASS Program offers discounted monthly and 20-ride passes for Iowa City Transit and Coralville Transit. University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff can purchase the discounted bus passes via the Parking and Transportation Department’s “Online Services” tool. Details about the UPASS Program are available at https://transportation.uiowa.edu/alternative-transportation/bus-pass-u-pass.
According to the 2018 University Employee Travel Survey 32% of respondents had never used CAMBUS. “We hope with a trip planning tool faculty and staff will be more likely to take transit to meetings and trainings around campus,” said Michelle Ribble, Commuter Programs manager. “We’ve also seen about a 7% increase in the number of student UPASS members this fall, so we hope the integration will continues to grow transit use as a mode of transportation.”