Iowa regent universities land funding for transit upgrades

Iowa's Transportation Commission approved more than $1.5 million Tuesday for three public transit projects - including two aimed at improving transportation across the University of Iowa and Iowa State University campuses.

UI's Cambus landed $600,000 to rehabilitate its maintenance facility, according to the state Department of Transportation. ISU received more than $405,000 to cover three 'in-ground vehicle hoists” for CyRide buses.

CyRide, which serves all of Ames, is a collaboration between the city, ISU and ISU Student Government. Cambus serves the UI.

Funding for projects - in addition to $539,895 for land and construction of another facility in Humboldt - came through the state's Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Fund. The Legislature appropriates funding to the program annually and the awards are limited to 80 percent of the cost of a project. The balance comes from local resources.

The state department this year received 10 applications, according to Ryan Ward, transit programs administrator for the Office of Public Transit for the Iowa Department of Transportation.

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