Community Transportation Committee

05/24/2026

The new 2026 Iowa property tax law restricts local revenue growth to 2%, placing significant budgetary pressure on public transit systems like Iowa City's. The fiscal constraint forces a reliance on alternative funding sources, such as local-option sales taxes, to avoid potential service reductions.

Yesterday's funding models won't fully meet tomorrow's needs, and DART is striving to evolve for its community, write Erin Hockman and Amanda Wanke.

05/22/2026

Commuting the Corridor with the 380Express New Route Connects Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, and Coralville! Beginning June 1st several changes to the 380Express will begin. The current route will be called the “Corridor Loop” and will keep the same stops, but will have a few minor schedule adjust...

03/20/2026

Please Sign Our Petition!
TELL JOHNSON COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CONTINUE FUNDING TRIP CONNECT!

The Trip Connect Program was launched in December 2024 to close gaps in public transportation barriers for residents in need in Johnson County, IA. Trip Connect provides flexible rides to residents at a cost of just $2.00 per ride, which has really helped low-income residents secure transportation. Residents were able to secure employment, childcare, education, and nutrition through the reduced cost rides at Trip Connect because they had transportation to jobs, schools, daycares, and supermarkets.

Johnson County council members in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty are planning to end the program in June 2026. If they go through with ending Trip Connect, residents may lose transportation to their jobs, schools, childcare centers, and so much more. Please sign this petition to continue funding for Trip Connect so that residents may continue to have job stability, education, childcare, and nutritious food options.

TELL JOHNSON COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CONTINUE FUNDING TRIP CONNECT!

03/01/2026

02/27/2026

Help Us Keep Trip Connect Rolling!

We’re reaching out with an important update about Trip Connect—the curb-to-curb evening transportation service that launched in late 2024. For just $2 per ride, it connects people to work, school, and childcare from 5 PM to midnight, every day, across Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Tiffin, University Heights, and all of Johnson County north of I-80.

But here’s the catch: Trip Connect is set to end on June 30, 2026, unless new funding is secured.

Why It Matters

In its first year, Trip Connect provided 4,224 rides, with 85% of riders not owning a vehicle, 60% earning under $30,000 annually, and 57% lacking a driver’s license. For many, this service is their lifeline to work and essential destinations.

Top destinations include:

Walmart (364 rides)
Downtown Iowa City (335 rides)
Hy-Vee (273 rides)
UI Health and Campus (200+ rides)
Kirkwood in Coralville (132 rides)
GEICO (129 rides)
Coral Ridge Mall (136 rides)
Music4Life (129 rides)
American Prosthetics (98 rides)

Riders say:

"You’ve helped us so much after we lost our car. We’d be in deep financial trouble without you."

"Transportation used to eat up over half my paycheck—now it’s less than a quarter."

How You Can Help

Write a letter to your city council or Board of Supervisors. Speak at a public budget hearing this spring.

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Time is running out: Budget decisions are being made now through April, and riders will be notified by late April if the program ends.

Let’s keep Trip Connect on the road! Reach out if you’d like to help, share data, or coordinate testimony.

Thank you for all you do for our community!

—Community Transportation Committee

01/26/2026

Dear CTC Members and Community Partners,

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Community Transportation Committee. We are writing today to share an important update in our commitment to transparency and community engagement.

In response to your feedback, we have published our Annual Financial Reports (2017–2025) along with detailed program information on our website. These reports reflect our dedication to accountability and illustrate how every dollar donated has directly supported the Give a Bus Ride Program—providing transit access to Johnson County residents in need.

From 2017–2025, with zero overhead and no paid staff, we have distributed over $9,000 in transit assistance.

None of this would have been possible without your partnership, advocacy, and generosity.

Real Impact, Real Stories
The difference these bus tickets make is profound and far-reaching:

Employment: One consumer used SEATS passes to get to his new job, while another was at risk of losing his SEATS account due to non-payment—the passes helped him maintain this vital transportation lifeline. A woman who lives in Coralville but works in Iowa City takes the bus every day, and access to free tickets has helped her immensely.

Healthcare: Consumers regularly use passes to attend health appointments, ensuring they don't have to choose between medical care and other necessities. One woman has used SEATS to take her dog to the vet and plans to continue, especially now that her pet has been diagnosed with cancer.

Education & Community: A group of students utilized free tickets to help them get to and from school, removing a barrier to their education and future opportunities. Recipients also use tickets to buy groceries, volunteer, meet with job development specialists, and access critical services like Johnson County Social Services and the Community Food Bank.

We invite you to explore our updated website and see the impact we've made together: www.ctcjc.org

Help Us Continue This Work

As we look ahead, we remain focused on our mission to eliminate transportation barriers in our community. While Iowa City Transit is currently free, Coralville Transit, the 380 Express, and Johnson County SEATS still charge fees that create barriers for many residents.

We hope to expand our assistance to better help workers gain and retain employment, and ensure no one has to choose between getting to work and putting food on the table.

Please consider making a donation to support our transportation assistance programs:

Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YXGNBXMVV7WKL

Help support Community Transportation Committee by donating or sharing with your friends.

01/09/2026

IA: Johnson County transit program unlikely to continue beyond pilot phase

Johnson County's Trip Connect pilot program, meant to provide transportation when other forms of public transit are not available, has seen a steady increase in ridership over...

12/15/2025

Public Transit Snapshot: UI Campus Survey Report. The Community Transportation Committee surveyed 21 local residents about bus service in Johnson County. The biggest problem: Most Iowa City Transit routes stop running around 9:30-9:45 PM on weekdays. One respondent said: "I often work late hours and wish the bus went later." Despite the gaps, 83% of respondents would support a tax increase to improve service. Read the full report to see what needs to change. https://www.ctcjc.org/blog/public-transportation-survey-report

12/02/2025

Reminder! Stop by Thai Flavors at 340 E Burlington St in Iowa City tonight from 5–9 PM to support the Community Transportation Committee’s Give a Bus Ride fundraising event.

Enjoy a great meal for a great cause! Thai Flavors will donate a portion of the proceeds to CTC. Proceeds apply to dine-in orders only, so bring your friends and eat in to make it count!