Lang
10/21/20
Riders on Iowa City Transit buses could eventually be able to ride free of charge under a plan being considered by the Iowa City city council.
City officials are considering free fare and other changes to the city’s transit system to reach a goal of doubling ridership within the next ten years.
The idea is one of many suggested by city staff in response to the results of the Iowa City Area Transit Study, which began last fall. Other suggestions include extending weeknight bus service to midnight and adding Sunday service.
The study estimated that implementing those changes would cost a one-time capital investment of $1-2 million, with annual operating costs of $1.32-1.4 million. Several hundred more thousands of dollars would be needed to expand paratransit service.