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IRIS microtransit shows rising ridership after launch; council gets operational and cost details
Summary
City staff and WHC told the council that IRIS, the on‑demand transit system that replaced fixed-route service on Jan. 2, recorded roughly 2,000 trips and 221 unique riders in its first month and is meeting several key performance indicators.
City staff and contracted operator WHC presented an update on IRIS, the city’s on‑demand public-transit system that replaced the fixed-route service on Jan. 2, 2025. Tom Scannell, Community Development Director, and Terry O’Toole, WHC, described ridership, operations and next steps for the council.
Between Jan. 6 and Feb. 5 the operator reported roughly 2,000 trips and 221 unique riders; ridership trended upward despite winter weather, the presentation said. The contracted fleet serving Independence comprises five vehicles (four ambulatory, one wheelchair-accessible) operating Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The city-set fare is $5 per trip; riders can pay by cash, card or the IRIS app. WHC and staff said about 52% of trips have been free to riders because the city established three free transfer hubs (Independence Transit Center, Blue…
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