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Trip Connect microtransit pilot launches in Johnson County; early data show steady usage
Summary
Trip Connect, an evening microtransit pilot operated by NTS Horizons and coordinated by Johnson County, launched Dec. 11 and is serving evenings across the Iowa City urbanized area. In its first six weeks the service logged about 50 rides per week and 220 rider accounts; staff say many accounts represent repeat users tied to employment.
Johnson County launched Trip Connect, a pilot microtransit service, on Dec. 11 to fill evening and workforce transportation gaps across the Iowa City urbanized area. County mobility coordinator Kelly Schneider told the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board on Jan. 29 that the app-based, shared-ride pilot is intended to improve access to employment, child care and education outside of fixed-route hours.
The service runs six days per week (Sunday–Friday) from 5 p.m. to midnight, charges $2 per one-way trip and covers Iowa City, Coralville, University Heights, Tiffin, North Liberty and rural areas north of Interstate 80. NTS Horizons, a nonprofit operator, provides two vehicles on duty at all times, one of which is accessible. The booking platform is powered by Via; riders can book through the app or use a call center run by the operator.
"Trip Connect is a response to transportation gaps and barriers, specifically employment, child care, and education," Kelly Schneider said. She described the pilot as a…
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