FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 05/13/2021 Contact: Darian Nagle-Gamm, Transportation Director Phone: 319-356-5156
Transit Study update: give feedback on transit system changes
Greetings from Iowa City Transit!
We are reaching out and let you know about the proposed changes to the transit system that are taking effect this summer as a result of the Iowa City Area Transit study that began in 2019.
In short – our mission is to make transit more dependable for those who rely on it, and an easier choice for others.
Based on community input throughout the transit study, we are planning for more frequent bus service, simplifying the system and making it easier to understand, better coordinating with Coralville on fare and transfer policies, improving Saturday service, introducing a two-year Sunday service pilot, transitioning to the Transit app to locate buses and to trip plan, evaluating on-demand service to help support late night workers, improving bus stops, and introducing Iowa City’s first battery electric buses in the fall.
A virtual public presentation was held on April 29, 2021, to present the proposed routes, stops and services – the presentation is available here.
Pending City Council approval, the changes to fare and transfer policies will be implemented on July 6, 2021. The changes to the bus routes, stops, and bus schedule will be implemented on August 2, 2021. This information is also available in Spanish, French, Arabic, and Chinese. We will be hosting an extensive outreach campaign this summer to educate the public about the changes to the transit system, including an info-booth at the transit interchange. The bus schedules are not yet finalized, but will be posted in late June/early July.
On June 1, 2021, the City Council will be hosting a (virtual) public hearing at their regular meeting, and will be formally considering adoption of the Iowa City Area Transit Study Plan and recommended changes to the transit system. You are welcome to submit any comments to ICTransit@iowa-city.org and they will be passed to the City Council, or you can attend the virtual meeting to provide comments.
For more information about the transit study or to review the draft Plan, visit our webpage here.
