Elon University
IN-3: Innovation 3

The Downtown/East Burlington BioBus Route is an hour long loop developed to provide transportation from Elon University's Elon, NC campus to over 25 Alamance County community service agencies located within walking distance of each route stop. The route is part of Elon University's BioBus system and is free and open to the public. Agencies serviced by the route span the spectrum from county social services to afterschool programs to emergency shelters.
The route was initiated to meet the needs of students doing community service, though the impact on the community service locations and community members was considered in its development. Over eighty percent of Elon students participate in service during their time at the University. There are over 50 academic service-learning courses at the University. These courses include a required service component. Many of the community service agencies are within 15 to 20 minutes of campus. However, there is no public transportation in the area. While all students are allowed to bring a car to campus, many elect not to bring a car. The Downtown/East Burlington Route provides these students and others with access to community service agencies to perform their course required and voluntary service.
In the 2010-2011 academic year, the route transported over 2,500 riders. Of the riders, 61% were students and the remaining 39% were public community members, showcasing this route as truly a town/gown experience for all riders. In 2010, the route was included in the State of the County Health Report to highlight its positive results and to illustrate the interest in public transportation in the area. For the 2011-2012 academic year, a stop was added to the route at the Company Shops Market, a cooperatively owned, full-service grocery store and cafe in downtown Burlington.
The route has positively impacted community members. Students at a high school serviced by the route are using it to get to Elon to take classes. Members of the community are using the route to assist with their job search, e.g., getting to and from locations and accessing the public library in downtown Burlington to work on and print resumes. The route provides members of the community with access to many services, such as the women's resource center, the county department of social services and the public library. The route also helps community members get from one service agency to another.
Elon University students have gained greater knowledge of the community and formed more connections in the community. The route has also exposed some University students to public transportation for the first time, which will hopefully make them more comfortable with it in future situations.