Last year’s famous “Kiss the Car” contest is back again — only this time it’s a bus.

“Kiss the Bus” is a fund-raiser for Habitat for Humanity. It is sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Though the contest does not take place until April 21, the Monday following Veishea, organizers are already planning for the “kiss-off.”

By kissing a bus instead of a car, more people can get involved, meaning more money for the charity, organizers said. Cy-Ride is providing an old bus for the event.

“Instead of the 29 people involved last year, this year we’re hoping for 60 to 70,” said Mark Anderson, an organizer for the event.

Anderson said he hopes to take in $10,000. Last year’s event raised about $5,000.

Kissing a Cy-Ride bus doesn’t mean the lucky pucker who can keep his or her lips attached the longest will win the bus. A local car dealership will donate a car for the winner. Anderson said organizers are close to a decision about what type of car will be donated, likely some type of sports car.

Last year’s winner took home a truck.

If Kiss the Bus reaches the $10,000 goal, the money could help build eight to 10 houses for Habitat for Humanity.

There’s more changes in store for this year’s competition. Breaks, for one, will be longer. Anderson said there was some criticism last year about the “demeaning nature” of the contest.

There will be three half-hour breaks every 24 hours for meals. Contestants will also have 10- or 15-minute breaks every four to eight hours, similar to last year.

Breaks may be awarded to participants based on the amount of money they raise. And participants may be able to donate money toward their own breaks, Anderson said.

There will also be doctors on hand throughout the competition in case of medical emergencies.

And no caffeine supplements will be allowed this year, in response to problems last year, Anderson said.

Like last year, participants will be disqualified if they remove their lips from the bus. Participants are allowed to sleep, however, as long as their lips are still kissing the bus.

Organizers will be going around to area businesses in early March to ask for donations. Monetary donations will go directly to Habitat for Humanity, and donated merchandise will go toward gifts for participants.

“That way, we can have more winners and offer more incentives to get involved. Even contestants that go out the first day will have an opportunity to win something,” Anderson said.

Last year’s competition lasted 76 hours, but because there are more people involved, organizers expect this year’s competition to last longer.

For $250, participants can be guaranteed a spot for their lips on the bus. Since not a lot of college students have that kind of money, organizers offer several other ways to get involved.

There will be five representatives from greek houses and five representatives from the residence halls chosen to kiss the bus without having to pay.

Organizers will hold an auction for five spots, raffle 20 spots, and have radio station drawings for five. Last year, KCCQ was involved. This year, organizers hope to get a radio station that serves a larger area of central Iowa. Organizers are also hoping for TV coverage.