1.5 million passengers used the free public transport in Iowa City last year
More than 1.5 million passengers used Iowa City’s fare-free transit system last fiscal year.
Passenger numbers increased by almost 43% year-on-year, with over 450,000 additional passengers choosing to use public transport between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
Ridership had already been rising as the public returned to in-person classes and work following the COVID-19 pandemic, although recent data shows a much sharper increase than in the previous two years.
The increase brings ridership to roughly the same level as in 2017 and about half a million fewer passengers than the peak of 1.94 million in 2010.
Iowa City’s fare system aims to reduce carbon emissions and increase transportation equity.
From December: Iowa City’s free transit program sees 44% increase in ridership in first three months
Iowa City is one of the largest markets in the country
According to 2021 data, Iowa City ranks 16th among urbanized areas with the most transit trips in the American Public Transit Association’s rankings. Darian Nagle-Gamm, Iowa City’s transportation director, believes Iowa City will continue to rise, joining fourth-place Ames and major metropolitan areas such as New York, San Francisco and Chicago.
Iowa City Transit’s most popular routes were the Oakcrest route, averaging about 20,000 riders per month in fiscal year 2024, the South Iowa City route, with nearly 17,000 riders per month, and the West Iowa City route, with 15,700 riders per month.
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Will there still be free rides?
Officials in Iowa City want to stick with the fare-free system.
The City Council announced additional guidelines during its regular meeting Tuesday, discussing improvements such as adding bus stops and building a regional transit system.
Mayor Bruce Teague praised free transit because it “puts money back into the pockets of those who use the system.” Councilman Andrew Dunn said he has friends in the community who have almost “completely” switched from cars to buses.
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How will the city continue to finance this program?
The first two years of Iowa City’s fare-free system are part of a pilot program using money from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act fund.
In the future, the city plans to fund public transit through revenue from the federal government, which will amount to approximately $2.9 million in fiscal year 2024.
The parking fee and meter increases that came into effect on July 1 are also intended to help close a funding gap. About $1.5 million of the city’s revenue is to go towards fee-free use.
Nagle-Gamm said that leaves Iowa City Transit with a $1 million deficit that could potentially be covered by a utility tax in fiscal year 2026.
“The combination of all these measures will enable a fare-free transport system,” said Nagle-Gamm.
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Climate goals far away, but in sight
One of the goals of the free service is to meet the city’s climate goals, reduce car use in Iowa City and advance the city’s climate goals, Nagle-Gamm told the Iowa City City Council.
The city has set an ambitious climate goal, committing to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2030. To reach that goal, Nagle-Gamm said, Iowa City Transit would need to attract 400,000 more trips per year, bringing the total to nearly 1.9 million.
Nevertheless, the increase in ridership means a reduction in carbon emissions of about 31,000 tons, equivalent to the consumption of about 3,800 households or the retirement of about 6,800 vehicles, Nagle-Gamm said.
The increase in usage has saved Iowa City residents approximately $1.3 million.
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Ryan Hansen covers local politics and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
