Fare Free Iowa City

On Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, Fare Free Iowa City began bringing free rides to everyone on Iowa City transit! Fare Free Iowa City is a two-year pilot program that means every ride on Iowa City buses is free for everyone. No transit passes or pocket change needed.

If you are new to Iowa City Transit, welcome aboard! Now is a great time to give public transit a try. Services are open to the general public, including persons with disabilities. Here are a few things you can do to get familiar with the system before taking your first ride:

• Download the Transit app to plan your ride, get predicted arrival times, or get real-time updates on bus location on your phone.
• Review the City’s digital map of all routes and stops.
• Visit icgov.org/busschedules to learn about the City's 13 different bus routes.
• Visit icareatransit.org to explore the metro area transit system.
• Reach out to 319-356-5151 or ICTransit@iowa-city.org for trip-planning assistance.
• Hearing impaired customers can use Relay Iowa services by dialing 711.

This pilot program is aimed at studying the effects of making Transit free across Iowa City with the goal of providing improved access to safe, affordable, reliable, and sustainable transportation.

The move also goes hand-in-hand with our Climate Action goals of reducing carbon emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, then achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. To achieve these goals, Iowa City Transit has a goal of doubling ridership and enabling a shift of 55% of vehicle trip to more sustainable modes of transportation such as transit.  

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Transit Service

Map of Transit Routes and Stops.

Temporary service reductions for 4 – Downtown Shuttle, 6 – Peninsula, and 13 – South Gilbert announced due to staffing issues start April 15, 2024. 

Iowa City Transit service is available on 13 fixed routes, Monday – Saturday. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Services are open to the general public, including persons with disabilities. Bus service frequency and hours of service varies by route and are listed below:

*= Downtown Shuttle will cease operations April 15, 2024, due to staffing issues.
**= 6- Peninsula and 13- South Gilbert will be reduced to hourly service starting April 15, 2024, due to staffing issues. 

Bus Routes and Information

• Bus Routes and Information (Iowa City Area Transit Services) – View a digital display of routes for Iowa City, Coralville, and University of Iowa transit services.
• Bus Schedules – Browse the bus schedules available on weekdays, evenings, and Saturdays.
• Fares and Passes – Learn about the pricing and different bus pass offerings from Iowa City transit.
• General Information for Riders – Browse this section to learn about rider procedures, safety tips, and holiday service schedules.
• Report a Concern – Let staff know about a problem, issue, or concern with City of Iowa City bus services. For SEATS-specific concerns contact Johnson County.
• Johnson County Mobility Coordinator –Learn more about public transportation that services Johnson County. 

Advertising with IC Transit

If you would like to advertise with IC Transit, read our advertising forms.

• For-profit Organization Advertising
• Non-profit Organization Advertising

Iowa City Transit is committed to providing safe, reliable, courteous, and accessible services to our customers. To ensure equality and fairness, Iowa City Transit makes reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination and to ensure programs and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable modification, call 319-356-5151 or email ICTransit@iowa-city.org.

All routes are wheelchair accessible and open to the general public including persons with disabilities. Relay Iowa 711 (national three-digit number for relay access) is available for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have difficulty speaking on the phone. For more information please dial 711, 319.356.5151 or email ICTransit@iowa-city.org.

Civil Rights

The City of Iowa City (Iowa City Transit) operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with Iowa City Transit. The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 amended Title VI to specify that entire institutions receiving Federal funds, whether schools, colleges, government entities, or private employers must comply with Federal civil rights laws, rather than just the particular programs or activities that receive federal funds.

If you feel you are being denied participation and/or benefits in this program, or otherwise being discriminated against because of your race, color, or national origin, or would like more information on Iowa City Transits civil rights program and the procedures to file a complaint you may contact:

City of Iowa City
Civil Rights Office
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319-356-5022

Iowa Department of Transportation
Office of Employee Services — Civil Rights
800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010
Iowa DOT: 800-262-0003
Civil Rights Commission: 800-457-4416

A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5'° Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.

You should contact the above individuals as soon as possible, but no later than 180 days after the alleged discrimination occurred, or if there has been continuing course of conduct, no later than 180 days after the alleged discrimination was discontinued.

This notice will be available on the Iowa City Transit website, on Iowa City Transit buses, and at the Iowa City City Hall. 31 Esta notificacién estaré disponible en el sitio web lowa City Transit, en lowa City autobuses de transito, y en las instalaciones de Transito lowa City. If information is needed in another language, contact 319-356-5022.

• Title VI LEP Plan
• Notice of Title VI Provisions
• Title VI Complaint Form
• Title VI Complaint Form - Chinese
• Title VI Complaint Form - Spanish
• Title VI Notification of Rights

DBE Program document

Iowa City Transit, a department within the City of Iowa City, has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. Iowa City Transit has received Federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation — Federal Transit Administration, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, Iowa City Transit has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.

It is the policy of Iowa City Transit to ensure that DBEs, as defined in part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. It is also our policy:

1. To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts;
2. To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;
3. To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
4. To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
5. To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts; and
6. To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program.

The Director of Transportation Services has been delegated as the DBE Liaison Officer. In that capacity, the Director is responsible for implementing all aspects of the DBE program. Implementation of the DBE program is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred by Iowa City Transit in its financial assistance agreements with the Department of Transportation.

Iowa City Transit has disseminated this policy statement to the Engineering Division the City of Iowa City, who administers facility construction and renovation contracts for facilities and all the components of the Iowa City Transit organization. Iowa City Transit has made this statement available to DBE and non-DBE business communities that perform work for Iowa City Transit on DOT-assisted contracts. This policy statement shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the community and through a press release posted on the City of Iowa City’s website.

Transit Apps

Iowa City Transit is on the Transit App, and serves as the best, up-to-date platform for finding your way around the area using our transit system. Just type in your destination, and the app will tell you the best way to get there by transit! You can download the smartphone app from your app store.

To learn how to use the Transit app, watch the video below, review the Transit app 101 pamphlet, or reach out to Iowa City Transit at 319-356-5151 or ICTransit@iowa-city.org.

Iowa City Transit is also on Google Maps. Visit google.com/maps or download the Google Maps app for your device. Click the bus icon, enter your destination, and choose the transit trip that works best for you. Browse our Google Maps Guide for more detailed instructions.