A new transit service that connects Kansas University’s Lawrence campus with KU’s Edwards Campus and Johnson County Community College in Overland Park begins today.

The pilot project hopes to pick up some of the estimated 400 Johnson County residents who commute to KU’s Lawrence campus daily. Planners also estimate roughly 130 students travel from KU’s Lawrence campus to the Edwards campus and that there are about 380 KU faculty and staff that commute from Johnson County to the Lawrence campus.

“These were some of the statistics that we were looking at when we started this,” said Alice Amrein, director of transportation for Johnson County Transit.

Amrein said planners estimate that at least 300 daily riders will take the connector once it’s established.

The bus will stop at:

¢ The West Campus Park and Ride lot on the KU Campus.

¢ The southwestern corner of the intersection of 19th Street and Naismith Drive.

¢ The Haskell Indian Nations University parking lot north of the stadium.

¢ The Edwards Campus and Johnson County Community College in Overland Park.

The service, which is open to the public, is free through January. Beginning in February, fares will be $2.50 per one-way trip and $5 for round-trip. Riders can also purchase a 10-ride pass for $15 on the bus or at the KU Parking and Transit Office.

KU students, faculty and staff with any valid permit may park in the Park and Ride lot through July 31. No parking permit is required at Edwards Campus or JCCC.

For more information, visit: www.thejo.com.