An idea developed by Ball State University students in 2007 for transportation to downtown Muncie became what today is known as the Late Loop. On Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 3:15 a.m., a MITS trolley shuttles bar-goers to and from campus with no cost for students.
The purpose of the Late Loop is to offer a safe ride for students from campus to downtown Muncie during late hours, after the last MITS bus drives its route at 9 p.m.
However, the Late Loop was not constant throughout the semester due to lack of funds to pay the trolley.
This semester, Heart of the City Downtown Development wants to keep the Late Loop running, so students can have more opportunities to use the trolley, Cheryl Crowder, program manager of Heart of the City, said.
She said Heart of the City and individual businesses have helped to raise money for the trolley.
"We are selling an advertisement package right now that allows for companies to purchase some radio advertising and some other promotional items," Crowder said. "And some of those funds come back to Downtown Development."
Michael Martin, owner of Doc's Music Hall and board member of Heart of the City, had his own initiative to raise money for the cause.
"Tipsy Trolley Fundraiser" will be held today at Doc's Music Hall. All proceeds will go to the trolley.
Martin said Downtown Development has about $4,000 already and his goal for this fundraiser is $600 to $1,000.
Martin said it costs about $600 per weekend to operate the Late Loop.
"It's very expensive to keep the trolley running," he said.
Martin said entrance to Doc's on Saturday will be free, but he hopes people will donate $3 to $5.
Downtown Development still does not have the necessary amount of funds to keep the trolley running all semester, however Crowder said she thinks more businesses will help with raising the money.
"I have a lot of faith that more businesses will participate that we just don't have signed up yet," she said. "But we need all the help we can get, so it's wonderful that Doc's is doing this fundraiser for the trolley."
The number of students that use the Late Loop has changed during the past years, due to interruptions because of lack of funding, Crowder said.
According to the ridership records from MITS, 5,309 students used the trolley when it first began in spring 2007. The numbers of students decreased as the route became inconsistent. The numbers are expected to rise if the trolley runs throughout the entire semester.
Crowder said she believed Downtown Development manages to reach out to students because of their efforts.
"I think we are going to see in the next year downtown explode with youth," she said. "I really do and I absolutely love that."
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