Dear President McRobbie,

In a recent guest column in the Indiana Daily Student, Raymond Vanlanot articulated the benefits of combining the IU Campus Bus service and Bloomington Transit. Under the current system, over 3 million passenger trips per year--more than half of the total public transportation ridership in Bloomington--goes uncounted. Counting all passenger trips in Bloomington under one organization would result in much-needed funds for transit in our community.

Additional funding would significantly improve public transit for IU students, faculty, staff, and the larger Bloomington community. Currently, bus service in Bloomington lags behind that available at many other Big Ten schools. We could afford more frequent service, enhancements to the IU Mobile service (i.e., real-time bus information), even new routes. More people would find the bus to be a truly convenient way to get to and from campus, reducing problems with parking and traffic congestion on campus. IU's carbon footprint and transportation infrastructure costs would both be reduced, without increasing the student transportation fee.

The unification appears to be supported by all sides, but your leadership is needed to bring about concrete results. It is time for you to provide a clear direction forward for the unification of mass transit in Bloomington. The effects of transportation decisions made today will be felt for generations; please make this sustainable choice part of your legacy.

Sincerely,

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