That tracks, it's a situation where most people are going to the same place so public transit has a huge advantage.

I am surprised that the bus wasn't already free; in my college town and the one near it (both had their own bus line), fares are free for all undergraduates.

My experience with bus service in college towns is that the routes between campus and student residential areas get heavy use, while the buses serving the rest of the town drive around nearly empty.

U of I's cambus is free, but it has a limited route in and around the campus. City buses cover a lot more area.