Purdue pledges to find affordable transportation for students after CityBus fare changes

A Purdue spokesperson said Monday the university is committed to continuing “affordable transportation” following a CityBus announcement that off-campus bus routes will no longer be free for students, faculty and staff.

Starting Aug. 19, those affiliated with Purdue will only have free access to on-campus loops but will have to pay to use all others, CityBus announced in a Monday morning press release.

Spokesperson Tim Doty said the university was “surprised” by the change, and is now in conversation with the company’s leaders to “resolve this to a better solution.”

“Our students and colleagues will continue to have affordable transportation off campus as they do today,” he said.

The company will offer new semester-long passes for $99, available only through a mobile app called Token Transit.

The change is in response to increased costs without corresponding fare increases, the CityBus press release said.

A spokesperson for CityBus was unavailable for comment Monday afternoon.