Officials eyeing intercity bus service, ridematching

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.

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.

'It would have more amenities than typical bus service, such as Wi-Fi, so passengers can do some of their work on the ride,” Paulsen said.

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 study has focused on Johnson, Linn, Benton, Jones, Iowa, Cedar and Washington counties.

Paulsen said 7,000 people a day - about 14,000 trips - commute between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. With better transportation options, even more could access employment opportunities throughout the region, he said.

'There's definitely a need for express service between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids,” he said.

Fifteen of the area's largest employers, who were consulted as part of the study, also said better transportation is needed to strengthen the workforce, he 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 said.

A model with rides every 30 minutes during peak hours - five buses and eight stops - would be most ideal based on cost estimates and rider demand, he said. This model is projected to draw 563 passengers a day with 5 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m. service times.

Off-peak service could be eliminated as long as a 'guaranteed ride home program” is in place, according to a presentation of the recommendations.

Paulsen said preliminary cost estimates for launching and operating the system need to be revised. The target ticket price would be $7 per round trip, according to the draft.

The proposed stops include the Cedar Rapids Ground Transportation Center, Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids campus), park and ride near The Eastern Iowa Airport, park and ride serving North Liberty, the Coralville Intermodal Facility in the Iowa River Landing, University of Iowa near Carver-Hawkeye Arena, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Iowa City Court Street Transportation Center.

The draft included other preferred improvements to accommodate people in more remote areas.

The DOT plans to launch public ridematching software for car and van pools that would allow users to connect directly with others to arrange ride-sharing.

The draft study also recommends a subscription bus service tailored to large employers. Paulsen said Whirlpool in Amana is a focal point for this option.

After the study is finalized, representatives from transit agencies in Eastern Iowa will form an implementation committee. The Eastern Iowa Council of Governments will be recommended to lead the group, Paulsen said.