$1.6 million awarded to intercity bus services

AMES, Iowa – Dec. 9, 2008 – The Iowa Transportation Commission today approved the use of nearly $1.6 million in federal funding to maintain the viability of Iowa's intercity bus service.

A total of $1,573,253 is appropriated for the multi-faceted program helping to preserve existing intercity bus routes tying smaller communities in Iowa to the nationwide intercity bus system, and assisting start-up routes in serving rural communities that do not have services. Funding is also available to upgrade equipment and facilities, including adding accessibility features required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. 

Several of the projects being funded involve carriers starting new or expanding existing intercity service in the state. Funding is being provided for expanded Burlington Trailways’ service between Des Moines and Davenport via Grinnell and Iowa City.  Jefferson Lines will be funded for two new services, including a premium service for the communities presently served by Jefferson Lines in central Iowa, as well as a new service between Mason City and Iowa City via Charles City, Waverly, Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Urbana, and Cedar Rapids. In support of these services, funds were awarded for the purchase of two new 45-foot, over-the-road, ADA-accessible motor coaches. Funding can also be used for marketing, information and ticketing systems, and terminal improvements.

The intercity bus assistance program is open to private intercity bus companies, firms planning to start intercity bus service, public transit agencies either operating or proposing to operate intercity bus services or terminals, and communities for support of local bus connections.

A map of Iowa’s intercity bus service is attached to this release and available with a list of funded projects on iatransit.com. 

#

Contact:  Garrett Pedersen at 515-239-1806 or garrett.pedersen@dot.iowa.gov.