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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 curb-to-curb, shared‑ride microtransit service designed to test demand for evening on‑demand trips across urban and some rural areas.
Early usage and service design
County staff said the pilot emphasizes affordability and access: the $2 fare was set to balance cost and usability, and the app is available in English, Spanish and French. Agencies, employers or service providers can purchase voucher codes for clients or employees; cash payments can be loaded onto accounts at the operator’s Coralville office.
NTS Horizons is the contracted operator; the county’s contract requires two vehicles on duty (one accessible) and operator staffing, training and vehicle maintenance. Schneider said the average Trip Connect ride is about 4 miles, approximately a 12-minute trip.
Early performance metrics shared with the board include:
- About 50 rides per week, roughly one month and a half after launch. - About 220 rider accounts created; roughly one-fifth of those accounts have taken rides so far, and a portion of those are repeat users. - Trip origins: roughly 60% start in Iowa City, 25% in Coralville and 8% in North Liberty; trip destinations show a similar distribution (about 60% ending in Iowa City, 25% in Coralville, 12% in North Liberty).
The county is tracking booking behavior and trip timing. Schneider said many riders request trips within an hour of travel time rather than far in advance; the system enforces a 30‑minute pickup window for each scheduled trip. She also noted Sunday has been a popular day for the service so far.
Access for families and youth
Schneider and operators clarified policy for riders under 18: children traveling as a passenger or guest ride free; under NTS policy, youth ages 16–18 may ride independently but would pay the $2 fare if they are the primary passenger.
Coordination and next steps
Schneider said NTS Horizons’ call center supports non‑app users, and staff will share monthly data with local transit operators. The county is convening an advisory committee that includes Shelter House, employers and education providers; Schneider said Kirkwood Community College and employers are being engaged about possible financial support should the pilot move toward sustained service.
"We’re seeing early signs that this fills workforce needs," Schneider said, citing a case shared by Shelter House in which a client gained employment and used Trip Connect to reach work. Board members asked staff to return with additional data; Kent Ralston, MPO executive director, said the board requested an update in July.
What the data do—and don’t—show yet
County staff stressed the pilot is still early-stage. Schneider said the vehicle fleet, app and voucher systems are working and that the county will continue to monitor hot spots, time-of-day demand and opportunities to coordinate funding with employers, education providers and service agencies.
The county requested stakeholder help spreading awareness and said it will provide more detailed reports on trips, hotspots and demand patterns as the pilot collects a larger dataset.
