Thank a CAMBUS employee for Transit Employee Appreciation Week
Thank a CAMBUS employee on Transit Employee Appreciation Day
The week of March 17, UI CAMBUS is recognizing its employees for their resilience and professionalism as the university campus grows. Cambus student drivers, student support staff, and full-time staff proved their excellence as a team over the past year through exceptional communication while navigating a growing campus and expanding service to meet increases in demand.
Student drivers and support staff dedicated over 116,000 hours to service in 2024. Many riders reached out to commend student drivers who went above and beyond to ease their daily commutes.
Allie T. went above and beyond in making our trip smooth, enjoyable and stress-free. Her professionalism, courtesy and exceptional driving skills truly stood out. It's clear that she takes pride in her work and her dedication made our experience all the more memorable.
Stepping up service to aid the UI community
Cambus student drivers and dispatchers stepped up service to navigate heavy construction on campus over the past year. With projects like the Health Sciences Interchange and Hawkeye Ramp taking over the west side of campus, the Cambus team proved their adaptability so they could quickly and effectively serve customers. The team made continuous adjustments to service to assist students and UI Health Care employees. Drivers also continued to provide shuttle services for Hawkeye Athletics fans despite heavy construction and traffic obstacles along Newton Road.
Team effort for a new training course
To better keep up with staffing and service needs, Cambus built and opened a dedicated CDL training area for year-round driver training efforts. This includes training drivers for other local transit services like Coralville Transit.
Building and opening the new site was a collaborative effort between Cambus full-time and student training staff that gives service room for further growth and solidifies standards for safety and reliability.
Grant secured for facility updates
At the Cambus Maintenance Facility, student mechanics work side-by-side with professionals to keep buses serviced and running smoothly. In addition to ensuring a safe and reliable fleet, the maintenance operation offers student mechanics an important growth opportunity for employees that provides new leadership and technical responsibilities.
To continue supporting service needs, plans for an updated Cambus Maintenance Facility made significant progress over the year. The department in July 2024 was awarded a grant from the Federal Transit Administration to assist with modernizing and expanding the facility. The department is quickly working to finalize design and begin construction.
Maintaining excellence for a growing service
To meet a growing demand for service, Cambus hired its first full-time drivers over the summer. This role is intended to support student drivers who must balance their jobs with school and trips home during academic breaks.
Demand response drivers are also taking on new responsibilities as Cambus works to launch a new service zone for the On-Demand Shuttle Service. The demand response driver role was added in October 2023 to provide Bionic and On-Demand services using mini-buses that do not require a CDL to operate. Their quick training turn-around and potential to transition to transit coach operators upon obtaining a CDL makes them an important asset to the Cambus team.
As the academic and medical campuses continue to grow, the Cambus team is proving their commitment to maintaining a high standard of service to the university community.
Anna McClimon
"I have the best time chatting and problem solving with my coworkers as well as meeting new passengers."
Katrina Aljets
"Making personal connections with the drivers I train and watching them grow in their positions at CAMBUS is very rewarding!"
Logan Barr
"It's fulfilling to be part of a diverse group of students from many majors and backgrounds coming together to provide a valuable service to the community.”
Awards and recognition
Several student employees were recognized at CAMBUS over the past year for their contributions to the organization. Recognition included:
- Student Employee of the Year
- 5 CAMBUS scholarship recipients
- Driver of the Year and Support Person of the Year
- Top placing at local and state IPTA roadeo
CAMBUS service in 2025
2.6
million rides
8,655
ADA rides (Bionic Bus and fixed routes)
2,235
student labor hours per week
About Transit Employee Appreciation Day
Transit Employee Appreciation Day is celebrated each year to thank public bus and rail employees for their service. The date of March 18 was selected to commemorate the first form of modern public transportation in Paris in 1662. The day is celebrated across the U.S at public transportation agencies.
About CAMBUS
CAMBUS consists of 160 student employees that operate the transportation system. The majority of bus operator positions are held by UI students. Students may also earn promotions to positions in dispatching, training, maintenance, and supervision. The CAMBUS student teams are supported by full-time staff: two managers, three full-time trainers, a maintenance supervisor, and five maintenance technicians.
Support CAMBUS student employees today!
Want to support CAMBUS student employees? Donate to the CAMBUS scholarship program or show your love by recognizing a student employee. Each year CAMBUS chooses 10 student employees to award scholarships. Learn more about the scholarship program and contribute a donation.