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Dr. Jon D. Fricker Memorial Transit Internship
The Dr. Jon D. Fricker Memorial Transit Internship offers a unique opportunity for students to actively contribute to the improvement of public transit services within the Greater Lafayette community. Interns will work within the Customer Experience Department, responsible for CityBus service planning and development. Interns will focus on assessing current services and developing innovative and efficient improvements for the future. This internship not only provides valuable professional experience but also pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. Fricker.
Dr. Jon D. Fricker, former professor of civil engineering at Purdue University, was a member of the Greater Lafayette Transportation Corporation (dba CityBus) board of directors for 32 years. He was appointed by the West Lafayette City Council in 1990 and proudly served until his retirement in 2022.
During his tenure, CityBus benefited greatly from Dr. Fricker’s expertise in urban planning, bicycle and pedestrian transportation, and public transit. Many of his research projects and love of data collection helped inform CityBus initiatives over the years.
While on the board, Dr. Fricker played a role in a wide range of advances at CityBus. Highlights from his tenure include:
- Adoption of the operating name “CityBus” in 1994
- Unlimited access rides for Purdue University students, faculty, and staff in 1998
- GPS tracking on buses and automatic people counters in 2001
- New maintenance facility and cameras on the buses in 2003
- Addition of hybrid buses in 2006
- Wind turbines added to the administrative offices/shop facility in 2011
- Expansion of garage space so all buses could be stored indoors in 2012
- Opening of CityBus Center and addition of mobile phone app in 2013
- Addition of compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station and buses in 2015
- Service to IU Health Arnett Hospital in 2016
- Added pedestrian detecting collision avoidance systems on buses in 2018
- Awarded the Public Transit Clean Air Champion by Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition in 2019
- Launched Flex, a demand response microtransit service, in 2021
- Expansion of the CNG fuel station in 2022
Additionally, CityBus ridership during Dr. Fricker’s tenure grew exponentially from 1.7 million in 1998 to a high of 5.5 million in 2013. CityBus is incredibly proud of all that Dr. Fricker accomplished to help ensure we provide outstanding service to the Greater Lafayette community.
Areas of Work
Interns will be assigned various projects and tasks related to the following areas of work:
Data & Application Support
- Update and maintain information within the Remix transit planning platform, including:
- Tax district boundaries and maps
- Population and demographic data
- Zoning changes and land use updates
- Housing density and development information
- Assist with reviewing and validating data accuracy to support planning and analysis needs.
Ridership & Performance Analysis
- Regularly review and summarize ridership and performance data using:
- Hopthru applications
- Swiftly performance and on-time data tools
- Assist staff in identifying trends, anomalies, and key findings to support service planning decisions.
Service Change Project Support
- Assist with the service change project scheduled for implementation in August 2026, including:
- Gathering and organizing data related to routes, schedules, and ridership
- Preparing maps, charts, and visuals to explain proposed changes
- Assisting with the creation of presentations and materials for internal and public use
- Support public information sessions by:
- Assisting with setup and materials
- Helping present service changes to riders and community members
- Responding to basic questions and directing feedback to appropriate staff
General Planning & Administrative Support
- Assist with documentation, meeting notes, and coordination related to planning activities.
- Perform related tasks and special projects as assigned in support of transit planning and service development goals.
CityBus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. CityBus complies with all federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws, including the regulations of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a college or university program in:
- Urban or Regional Planning
- Transportation Planning
- Geography / GIS
- Public Administration
- Data Science, or a related field
- Strong interest in public transportation and community mobility.
- Basic experience with data analysis tools such as Excel or similar applications.
- Ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally with staff and the public.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team and independently when needed.
Working Conditions
- Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional attendance at public meetings or outreach events.
- Some evening or early evening hours may be required for public engagement sessions.
Duration and Compensation
The internship typically runs for a specified duration, which can vary based on the agency's needs and the intern's availability. Compensation includes hourly pay of $18 – $20 per hour for approved time worked for 10 – 20 hours per week. Interns typically work at the CityBus Administrative Office located at 1250 Canal Rd. in Lafayette during normal business hours from 8:00AM – 5:00PM.
Overall, this internship provides an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to public transit services within the Greater Lafayette community while honoring the memory of Dr. Jon D. Fricker. It allows interns to gain hands-on experience in an essential field that plays a crucial role in the well-being of communities and the environment.
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