Now hiring student drivers
$1,000 hiring bonus incentive, $17.50/hour starting pay, flexible schedules for students, and raises every 6 months! Join our team today!
accessible, open to the public and no fare
Connecting campus
CAMBUS is the University’s public transit system that provides bus service throughout the campus. Serving students, faculty, staff, visitors, and the community, CAMBUS is a comprehensive transit system providing over 3 million rides per year. The services are accessible, no fare and available to the general public.
For qualifying persons with a disability, CAMBUS also provides a complimentary demand-response service called the Bionic Bus. Providing over 8,000 annual rides to university students, staff, and faculty, Bionic Bus is an essential service to ensure campus access. Bionic Bus operates as a paratransit bus service meeting FTA and ADA regulations.
Student operated
CAMBUS was conceived and started by university students in 1972 to increase campus accessibility, particularly between the east and west side of campus. It has been operated and supervised by students ever since.
Providing professional development and growth to its 160 student employees, as well as providing an essential service to the university community, CAMBUS is a vivid example of the superior abilities and dedication of Iowa students.
13
fixed-routes
3 million +
rides per year
80,000
annual hours of service
Service Alerts, Routes, Schedules & Maps
See a complete list of our routes and schedules and active service alerts.
Transit App
See upcoming departure times and real-time locations for buses, closest stops to the rider, and much more.
Service Calendar
View of CAMBUS’ services for the current academic year
News for CAMBUS
Transit Employee Appreciation: CAMBUS thanks student employees for their hard work
Spring break transportation resources
UI CAMBUS tech upgrades offer better rider predictions and more
CAMBUS scholarship awarded to recipients for spring 2024
CAMBUS service for Crossover at Kinnick Oct. 15
CAMBUS announces new demand-response driver student position
CAMBUS scholarship awarded to recipients for fall 2023
A tribute to Doug Couto
Creating a culture of growth with the UI’s automotive service professionals
Kristina Dibert recognized as 2023 CAMBUS Support Person of the Year
CAMBUS drivers earn two of three top places at state bus driving competition
Scott Kerno recognized as 2023 CAMBUS Driver of the Year
CAMBUS Roadeo 2023
CAMBUS service for summer 2023
CAMBUS awarded funds from the Iowa Entry Level Driver Training Program
Cambus Now app adds Bionic Bus services
CAMBUS scholarship awarded to recipients for spring 2023
CAMBUS service for spring 2023 session
CAMBUS service reminder for 2022-2023 winter break
Service added on CAMBUS routes 31, 32, 41, 42 beginning Monday, Nov. 28
CAMBUS Now app introduced for on-demand services
CAMBUS services for Hawkeye Football 2022 home games
Connecting Campus: The iconic campus innovation co-founded by a business student turns 50
UI CAMBUS increases starting pay, hiring bonus incentive for new student hires
Iowa Magazine: Alumni Share CAMBUS Memories Ahead of Homecoming Reunion
CAMBUS scholarship awarded to recipients for fall 2022
UI CAMBUS driver Ben Koch takes second place in state bus driving competition
Going the extra mile with the UI’s automotive service professionals
CAMBUS drivers compete in 'bus roadeo' June 2022
Nichole Winter recognized as 2022 CAMBUS Support Person of the Year
Rose Arrigoni recognized as 2022 CAMBUS Driver of the Year
CAMBUS service for summer 2022
Mask mandate lifted for CAMBUS
CAMBUS nominates Holevoet and Steele for Student Employee of the Year 2022
Transit Operator Appreciation: CAMBUS thanks drivers past and present
UI CAMBUS celebrates 50 years of student-run service
CAMBUS highlights student leaders in honor of International Women’s Day
CAMBUS service for Spring Break 2022
UI CAMBUS helping to inspire the next generation of public transportation leaders
CAMBUS scholarship awarded to recipients for spring 2022
CAMBUS service for spring 2022 academic session
UI CAMBUS begins hiring bonus incentive program for newly hired student employees
CAMBUS service for Winter Break 2021
Parking and Transportation operations during winter weather 2021
CAMBUS service for 2021 Fall Break, Nov. 20 through Nov. 28
CAMBUS services for select Iowa Hawkeyes Wrestling 2021-22 home meets
CAMBUS services for select Iowa Hawkeyes Men's Basketball 2021-22 home games
Explore available opportunities for employment with CAMBUS
CAMBUS temporary service reductions due to driver staff shortage beginning Aug. 30, 2021
CAMBUS announces fall 2021 academic service beginning Aug. 21
Bridget Joers recognized as CAMBUS Support Person of the Year 2021
CAMBUS introduces route numbers to route naming system
Darshaun Smith recognized as CAMBUS Driver of the Year 2021
Out of (the Ordinary) Office: Grease Junkie
Recognizing the service of CAMBUS drivers on Transit Operator Appreciation Day
CAMBUS driver Franks and student mechanic Madden together accomplish over 500 clean-up shifts
CAMBUS announces service for break periods and fall virtual instruction
CAMBUS invests in UV lights and driver barriers to further reduce spread of COVID-19
CAMBUS announces service changes effective Aug. 17 to better serve campus
Tristian Freese recognized as CAMBUS Support Person of the Year 2020
CAMBUS employee Nathan Sears recognized as Driver of the Year
CAMBUS pauses service on June 10 in recognition of #ShutDownAcademia
CAMBUS nominates Hughes and Mulrooney for Student Employee of the Year
CAMBUS drivers switch gears to deliver hospital linens
CAMBUS shares student leader experiences in honor of International Women’s Day
Finkbine Commuter Drive closed for rail repair Tuesday, Feb. 18
CAMBUS invites community to provide input Jan. 28 – 30 on transit study proposed concepts
CAMBUS invites community to participate in open houses Nov. 12 – 14, 2019
CAMBUS kicks off transit study and announces details for public participation
CAMBUS employee Estephanie Coreas recognized as Driver of the Year
CAMBUS employee Jackie Spradley recognized as Support Person of the Year
CAMBUS highlights student leaders in honor of International Women’s Day
Parking and Transportation modifications announced in response to extreme winter weather
Pentacrest Route changes set to begin January 14, 2019 to improve evening service reliability
New Bongo application released for compatibility
CAMBUS routes and schedules integrated into Google Maps
CAMBUS to restore regular Red and Blue Route service
CAMBUS honors Camille M. with IPTA Driver of the Year award
Several CAMBUS routes impacted by RAGBRAI in Iowa City
CAMBUS expands academic weekend service hours
Heavy traffic and CAMBUS delays possible during graduation
CAMBUS celebrates 45 years student operated
Dubuque Street Traffic Changes Announced for Hawkeye 2016 Home Football Games
CAMBUS Announces Changes to Expand Interdorm Route and Extend Hours of Service
CAMBUS Service Changes for Aspire at West Campus
CAMBUS Service Changes for Hawkeye Parking Lot
CAMBUS Service Changes for Finkbine Parking Lot
Iowa City Gateway Project: Dubuque Street and Park Road Construction
Iowa DOT to Hold Open-Houses in Corridor May 17 and May 18, 2016
Men's Basketball Special Shuttle Service
Active service alerts
CAMBUS service alert: impacts to Newton Road beginning in May 2024
CAMBUS service alert: temporary stop relocations at Iowa River Landing, through December 2024
Accessible Transportation
All CAMBUS vehicles and services are accessible to persons with disabilities. Buses are equipped with kneelers and wheelchair ramps. To have the bus kneeled or us the wheelchair ramp, please ask the driver. Service animals and respirators are welcome on all vehicles.
Great UI Student Job Opportunities
CAMBUS is, and always has been, student operated. Currently, 170 dedicated UI students operate the on-campus transit service. CAMBUS is designed by and for student employees.
A team of many talents
At CAMBUS, our dedicated team of student employees excel at providing safe and reliable transportation services to the university community. Our multi-talented student team also works behind the scenes in ensuring the day-to-day operations. Where a dedication to service meets hard work and professional growth, our team rises to any occasion.
Contact CAMBUS Office
Bus Pass (U-PASS) Programs
Policies
Transit Studies and Reports
Metro Transit Providers
- University of Iowa NITE RIDE
- Iowa City Transit
- Coralville Transit
- North Liberty Transit Service
- 380Express (Cedar Rapids/Iowa City transit)
- Johnson County Seats
- Iowa City Area Transit services