The wheels on the bus went round and round as they rolled for the 2004 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) buses operated on extended hours, running all weekend, 24 hours a day.

The service is provided to keep people moving, so no one has to walk, and they are encouraged to go to Thon, said Richard Wollett, a CATA supervisor.

"If people know they're going to have a ride, they'll go," he said.

Thon officials requested that CATA operate non-stop throughout the weekend, mostly so students involved in Thon would not have to walk in the cold, said Scott Upright, Thon marketing chair.

"They're giving up their time, so it's the best we can do for them," he said.

Some students who were involved in Thon appreciated the service because they did not have to leave a lot earlier to walk to Rec Hall.

"It's so good because I always seem to miss the last one on the weekends," said Maggie Amin (freshman-public relations), who was involved in rules and regulations.

Other students thought it was a good way to prevent violence.

"It's the perfect response to violence going on because it takes people safely to their destination," said Kira Palichat (sophomore-supply chain and information systems).

The Penn State Bookstore donated $12,500, its largest contribution ever to Thon, which included money to cover expenses for the 24-hour CATA bus service, Upright said.

Even though Wollett said drivers were on overtime because of the 24-hour service, Steve Summers, a CATA driver, said he was just rescheduled to work his regular eight-hour shift for a later time and did not mind the change.

"I don't see a problem with it," Summers said.

Some students enjoyed the 24-hour service so much they said they wished it would be a permanent change because it would prevent many sexual assaults.

"It's easier for people to go everywhere," Dan Conver (junior-journalism) said. "It seems like a logical coalition if it's 24/7 because of the sexual assaults."

However, officials said instituting permanent 24-hour CATA service is not likely to happen anytime in the near future.

"It's been a rumor for years, and I don't see that happening because not that many people are going to ride it," Wollett said.