Behind the Wheel

Meet the Drivers Running the Iowa City Streets

by Kendall Doerr

A heavy rumble announces the arrival of the characteristic yellow buses that adorn the Iowa City pavement: it’s the CAMBUS. Since 1972, students at the University of Iowa have operated the public transit system essential to the greater UI community. 

What started as a student initiative to increase campus accessibility has expanded into a 13-route system that provides over 3 million rides annually to students, visitors, faculty, and residents alike. 

Driving a bus is not an easy task. There are many factors at play when it comes to ensuring smooth and safe rides for students, the most obvious one being the bus itself. Student drivers must earn their commercial driver’s license, or CDL, as well as undergo multiple training sessions behind the wheel and in the classroom.  

Second-year honors student Raegan Walesa, a CAMBUS employee in the process of training, is just getting acquainted with the vehicles responsible for transporting students to their classes and activities. 

“The first session is literally just driving in circles trying to work on your turns,” Walesa said.

Drivers must learn the ins and outs of the vehicle, its components, and the nuances of driving such a large machine. According to Walesa, the size of the bus takes some getting used to. Drivers have to adapt to the differences between a personal vehicle and a commercial vehicle. The steering wheel is also much larger, and drivers must operate the turn signal with their feet.

Beyond driving, CAMBUS employees must maintain a clean and safe environment for students. “Safety, Service, Schedule” —  this is the motto that all CAMBUS drivers are taught to follow. The weight of their responsibilities is not lost on them.

“I’ve never had a job where so many people rely on me in a sense of safety,” Walesa said. “If I’m not paying attention for like, a second, I could hit something. So that’s an added responsibility.” 

The attention to detail that the job demands doesn’t only apply to the streets, however. Students are responsible for ensuring that the inside of the buses are sanitary and comfortable for all passengers. 

Second-year informatics and cello performance double major William Hand helps establish this cleanliness through the bus cleanup process, which includes a routine sweep and wash. 

“The mechanic checks the fluid levels, and then they get fueled up and parked in the barn at night,” Hand said.  

Despite the overwhelming duties CAMBUS drivers shoulder, these student-employees are deeply committed to their riders. 

“It’s super rewarding to see just how many people I can get where they need to be,” Hand said. 

The satisfaction Hand has found working for CAMBUS has provided him with insight into his future: he realized that he might want to work in the public transportation sector after he graduates.

This newfound turn of direction isn’t unique to Hand. Charlotte Hanfland, a fourth-year sustainability science major, also highlights how impactful her time with CAMBUS has been.

“Doing something hands-on to help the community has been nice,” Hanfland said. “I know I want to [work in] a service position where I get to interact with people.”

Whether or not their employees decide to pursue employment in public transit, CAMBUS prepares students for their future careers through the skills they pick up on the job. Social skills, observational skills, professionalism, adaptability – these all factor into the work these students do. 

However, there is one specific skill that seems to stand out above the others: Walesa, Hand, and Hanfland all credit CAMBUS with the development of their time management abilities. 

“Being super busy as a sophomore student in Honors, a double major, and [someone who] has a job has really taught me how important time management is,” Hand said. 

Hanfland echoes this sentiment. “You really need to parse out your time efficiently and make sure that you are taking time for your schoolwork,” she said. 

Walesa also noted the importance of integrating better time management practices into her daily life as she trains to be a driver, adding that she is still figuring out what works best for her.

Even though the busy nature of the job can sometimes be overwhelming, CAMBUS employees enjoy a supportive community of fellow peers that cultivates a fun-filled work environment. 

Hand credits the great student community CAMBUS boasts as a reason he looks forward to going to work everyday. The friendly waves between drivers as their buses pass each other, the shared lingo, and the inside jokes are all evidence of this tight-knight group of students. 

“There’s definitely a very fun atmosphere,” Hanfland said. 

Even newcomers seem to find an immediate home. “All the trainers and the staff I’ve interacted with are super sweet,” Walesa said. “You have that peer support because everyone’s in the same boat as you.”

Walesa, Hand, and Hanfland are just three students out of many who diligently serve the student population of UI from behind the driver’s seat. The contributions these students make to our university should not go unnoticed. 

Whether you take the Interdorm, the Blue Route, or Finkbine-Pentacrest, be sure to thank your drivers for the incredible service they give. And remember, always exit out the back doors!