Megabus leaving Iowa City for Coralville

Megabus will add a bus stop at Coralville's new intermodal facility in the Iowa River Landing near Interstate 80.

It will be part of the express bus service's daily route from Omaha, Neb., to Chicago beginning next month. 'We will be moving out of Iowa City and go over there because it is an intermodal facility, and we want to be connected to different modes of transportation for our passengers,' said Sean Hughes, a Megabus spokesman.

Iowa City has had a Megabus stop outside the Court Street Transportation Center for several years.

Coralville approved an agreement to lease space for $750 per month for the next 12 months beginning on Aug. 17, and yearly thereafter, during a City Council meeting this week.

Megabus will be able to use the premises and terminal for passenger waiting and pickup space, according to a memo from Vicky Robrock, Coralville director of parking and transportation. Proceeds will support operation and capital needs in Coralville Transit, Robrock said.

The addition of Megabus adds to the modes of transportation supported by the facility, Robrock said.

The $12.5 million intermodal facility, which is nearly completed, will have a stop as part of local public bus service beginning Aug. 24. The facility also will be a designated park-and-ride for commuters. It will have 270 spaces, 174 local retail parking spaces, a bike locker and rentals, an electric vehicle charging station, and an office for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.