Transit News Update: City Bus Route Redesign and Purdue Campus Transit Changes
City Bus Introduces Free Fares and New Route Network
Starting August 11 through August 23, City Bus is offering free rides for two weeks. This initiative coincides with the launch of their redesigned route network and a new fare structure branded as the “easy fare.”
The reimagined system includes several innovations:
- Fare capping: Riders will pay only up to the price of a day pass or a 31-day pass, after which additional rides are free.
- Tap-to-pay and seamless transfers for convenience.
- Route adjustments to better match rider demand and reduce resource waste.
City Bus has classified their service into two main route types:
- Core routes: These provide frequent service along high-demand, high-density corridors forming the network’s foundation.
- Local routes: Offering coverage in lower-density areas with limited schedules, these routes connect riders to the core network.
The core routes cover key areas such as downtown Lafayette and Purdue University in West Lafayette, including:
- Creasy Lane route (downtown to hospital and Menard’s)
- South Street route (main artery including State Street and extending south)
- Brady Lane route
- McCormick Lane route (through Purdue campus to Research Park)
- Salisbury Line (north side loops)
- Sagamore West route
Local routes supplement coverage by filling gaps in service, operating with more limited hours and access to specific points such as the south side, hospital, and West Lafayette core.
Service times are spread across four bands:
- Daytime: Approximately 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Evening: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Overnight: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (with some offset schedule)
- Late night: 10:00 p.m. to midnight
There are five transfer points where riders can switch routes with their fare included:
- Downtown City Bus Center
- Walmart West and Walmart East
- Pay Less on Beck Lane (south side)
- Ivy Tech (southeast side)
These hubs facilitate route connections and enhance network flexibility.
Changes to Purdue Campus Transit
Purdue University has decided to discontinue its partnership with City Bus for campus transit routes, a key reason behind the route redesign and fare overhaul. The two parties could not agree on fare structures, with Purdue considering City Bus’s demands too high and City Bus feeling Purdue was not paying its fair share.
As a result, Purdue will now independently manage its campus transit loops separate from the city network. This shift marks a significant change in transit operations within the greater Lafayette area, affecting how students and staff navigate the campus and city transit system.
The recent City Bus redesign and the departure of Purdue’s campus transit from the joint system represent significant shifts in local public transportation. Riders are encouraged to consult the new route maps and schedules to navigate the updated services effectively. Full details and guides are available through the City Bus Reimagine initiative.
This evolving transit landscape aims to provide more efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation for Lafayette and West Lafayette residents and visitors.