Iowa City’s bus ridership up 44% since going fare free

Iowa City bus ridership is up 44 percent in the first three months of eliminating fares, compared to the same time period from 2022.

Iowa City Transit had 45,009 more passenger trips this October than in October 2022, the city reported last week. Since launching Fare Free Iowa City in August, there have been 135,191 more trips compared to last year.

Transportation Director Darian Nagle-Gamm said increased bus ridership benefits everyone — even people who continue to use their cars.

“Each trip on transit reduces traffic congestion, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves air quality, frees up parking spaces, and helps connect people to job opportunities which improves the overall economic status of the community,” she said. “Taking transit also improves public health as customers walk or bike to and from bus stops.”

City staff estimate that the increase of transit ridership has equaled to a reduction of 98 metric tons of tailpipe carbon dioxide from personal vehicles.

Iowa City decided in June to use pandemic relief money to launch a two-year pilot program eliminating bus fares, which city leaders said would improve the experience for passengers and drivers and encourage more people to try public transit.

The city’s goal is to double ridership during the program. Nagle-Gamm said the city isn’t yet on pace to meet that target.

Iowa City was awarded $23 million from the federal government earlier this year to expand its electric bus fleet and build a new transit facility.

City staff will continue to collect data to share with the city council next summer so the council can decide whether to continue Fare Free Iowa City beyond the second year.

While winter often brings an increase in bus ridership in general, Iowa City Transit use goes down during the parts of December and January when students are not in town, Nagle-Gamm said. Summer months also are slow for Iowa City Transit.

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