All Aboard: Iowa City's fare-free transit rolls out today, Aug. 1

Free rides are coming to town.

Iowa City transit services will become fare-free for all riders beginning Aug. 1 as part of a two-year pilot program to test the program's effects on ridership and further explore the impact that free transit has on the community as a whole, the city announced Thursday.

Coralville’s public transit will continue to charge riders for trips.

Iowa City's move comes as the city looks to advance its strategic plan, and previous council discussion on the program indicates that city staff and councilors believe this will help economic growth, employment opportunities, and sustainability goals set by the city in its five-year strategic plan.

“It will hopefully help boost the local economy by keeping dollars in people's pockets,” Councilor Andrew Dunn said during the council’s June 6 meeting. “In doing that, it is going to help the poor and working people save money and spend it on other necessities.”

City staff will study the program's effects on ridership, which is expected to increase by 20% to 60%, Iowa City transportation director Darian Nagle-Gamm told the council in May.

The goal is to double ridership to further the city’s emissions targets and reduce vehicle trips by 55% because of the increased availability of public transit, the city said in a news release on Thursday. The city hopes to reduce carbon emissions by 45% from 2010-2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The city also hopes to find sustainable funding to offer free rides permanently. A grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will fund the local program for two years.

How do I take advantage of the fare-free rides?

Iowa City public transportation will be free of charge starting Aug. 1.

Drivers will track the number of passengers but otherwise will not require payment upon boarding, a move that Nagle-Gamm told the council would also likely positively impact the bus schedule, allowing buses to arrive on time more frequently because of less conflict at the fare box.

Cambus is also a free transportation option, specifically for point-to-point travel on the University of Iowa’s campus. Iowa City’s pilot program will operate similarly on broader routes.

Is there a bus stop where I live and when will it arrive?

Iowa City has produced an interactive website allowing riders to explore bus stops across the city. The transit system’s 13 routes sprawl across the city in all directions.

Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and the Cambus system all use the Transit app, where riders can find information about routes and bus stops.

Full schedules are also available at icgov.org/busschedules. For those needing assistance, help can be found by calling 319-356-5151 or by emailing [email protected].

What if I have already purchased a long-term pass?

Riders with 30-day, 10-ride, single-ride, or 24-hour passes should make use of them before the fare-free system goes live in August, the city said in a release.

Fare boxes will be covered during the pilot program.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City's fare-free transit starts today, Aug. 1