The 380 Express Ride passes provided free to Kirkwood Community College students have been a lifeline for many who rely on public transportation. It’s a thoughtful initiative that deserves real appreciation. However, the current system for distributing these passes could use some improvement.
Right now, students receive only 10 bus passes at a time. Once they’re used up, they must send another email request to get a new set. While this might seem manageable on paper, in practice it creates unnecessary stress and inconvenience.
Students may forget they have run out of passes until they are already at the bus stop, only to discover they can’t board. The process of emailing to request new passes, then waiting for them to be sent can take valuable time and sometimes delays students from getting to class, work or other commitments.
Instead of issuing passes in small batches, the system could be streamlined by offering a month’s worth or even a semester’s supply at once. This would save students from having to make repeated email requests, reduce administrative workload and ensure smoother travel for everyone.
Providing more passes upfront would not only make transportation easier, but it would also show that the college truly understands and supports the realities of student life. Small adjustments like this can make a big difference in helping students focus less on logistics and more on learning.
It’s time to rethink the 10-pass rule and make the 380 Express system as efficient and student-friendly as it was meant to be.
Categories: Opinion, Staff Editorials
