New bus line from Iowa City to Chicago offers $1 fares

It's not Amtrak, but there's a new regional public transportation option coming to Iowa City.

The express bus line megabus.com announced today it will offer new routes to Des Moines and Chicago starting May 4.

Bus fares will be as low as $1.

LaVerne Tutson has family and friends in Chicago. She says this discount bus service will allow her to visit them more often.

"I will go to Chicago every day for a dollar,” said Tutson.

University of Iowa students will also benefit from a budget-friendly way to get to the Windy City.

"I think it would be a really easy way to get there for really cheap maybe for a fun getaway weekend trip,” said senior Kayla Holstad.

This new service will also bring business to the area which will translate into more tax dollars.

"This is only one other way to bringing new dollars into this city, new tax dollars which ultimately serves as a tax relief to Iowa City, Coralville, Cedar Rapids,” said Joshua Schamberger, president of the Iowa City Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Customers should book early to secure the one dollar fares as they rise closer to the day of departure.

By Jami Brinton, KCRG-TV