Iowa officials eyeing intercity bus service, ridematching
The two-way intercity bus service would be geared to working commuters, offering power outlets and wireless Internet.
LINN and JOHNSON COUNTIES, Iowa — An express intercity bus service connecting Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Coralville and Iowa City, and public ridematching software to better facilitate car and van pools are two preferred improvements identified in a preliminary draft of a yearlong study on commuting in Eastern Iowa, KCRG TV9 News reported.
RELATED:MCI Commuter Coaches to enhance Pace service
The two-way intercity bus service would be geared to working commuters, offering power outlets and wireless Internet, said Brent Paulsen, technology and research manager for the Iowa Department of Transportation.
The Iowa DOT is working with HNTB, a Kansas City-based architectural and engineering firm, to finalize the Iowa Commuter Transportation Study and submit it to the Legislature by Dec. 15, the report said.
The commuter study looked at a variety of options for public intercity bus service, such as rides every 15 minutes or one trip per peak time. More trips would require more buses and increase costs, while fewer trips would save money but limit participation, Paulsen told TV9 News.
For the full story, click here.
More New Mobility

ENC Unveils ZAVIR Medium-Duty Electric Shuttle
The new ZAVIR brand targets shuttle and paratransit operations with battery-electric and range-extended electric vehicle options.
Read More →
Public Transit Conference Returning to GFX in 2027, Call for Papers Now Open
The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.
Read More →
Everett Transit, Community Transit Outline Consolidation Agreement
The proposed agreement calls for a 50% increase in bus service in Everett, a new microtransit zone, continued paratransit service, and the transfer of Everett Transit operations to Community Transit.
Read More →
What Multimodal Data Can Tell Transit Agencies About Rider Demand
See how bike-on-bus data is giving transit agencies new insight into rider demand, capacity constraints, and gaps in first- and last-mile connections.
Read More →
From Hardware to Digital Partner: Luminator Charts Its Next Chapter
CEO Magnus Friberg discusses Luminator’s shift toward becoming a digital partner, the growing importance of software and interoperability, and how AI can help agencies improve operations and passenger experience.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
CharterUP’s Armir Harris on Technology, AI, and the Future of Group Mobility
In a recent episode of METROspectives, CharterUP Founder/CEO Armir Harris discussed the company’s evolution from an online charter bus marketplace into a technology platform supporting public- and private-sector mobility and much more.
Read More →
Jacksonville’s NAVI Project Charts a New Course for Autonomous Public Transportation
Through its NAVI program, JTA is showing how autonomous vehicles, intelligent infrastructure, and coordinated operations can work together to deliver everyday public transportation.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Luminator Marks Milestone and More
From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.
Read More →
New Tricks for Old Bureaucracies: Joshua Schank on Making Transit Innovation Stick
Former LA Metro Chief Innovation Officer Joshua Schank discusses why good ideas aren't enough, how transit agencies can overcome resistance to change, and why today's challenges demand more innovation.
Read More →