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Cedar Rapids Transit and Horizons present annual report; Marion service unchanged, NTS seeks 5% funding increase
Summary
Cedar Rapids Transit reported FY26 service will remain at current levels under the existing agreement; Marion comprises about 3.5% of system costs. Horizons/NTS reported local demand‑response numbers and requested a 5% funding increase for FY26.
Marion — Representatives from Cedar Rapids Transit and Horizons presented their annual service update to the Marion City Council on May 20, describing current operations, ridership trends and a pending FY26 funding request.
Sergio Hill, Cedar Rapids Transit manager, told council that service levels will remain unchanged in FY26 under the current intergovernmental agreement. He said Marion accounts for about 3.5% of the system's roughly $13.2 million operations budget and that the agency will continue existing weekday and Saturday routes, paratransit, and after‑hours demand‑response service contracted to Horizons. Hill said vehicle replacement planning and reliability remain priorities; the system is pursuing hybrid buses rather than a full electric conversion at this time.
Sandy Wigger, director of community transportation for Horizons' NTS, gave Marion‑specific ridership figures. She said NTS provided 3,736 rides in the past 12 months that originated or terminated in Marion and reported that survey respondents cited improved employment opportunities and independence from the service. NTS asked Marion for a 5% increase in FY26 funding (the request shown in the packet was $44,415) to cover higher operating costs.
Councilmembers asked about marketing and outreach to increase ridership and about capital funds for transit shelters and stops. Staff said Marion has CMAQ/Metropolitan Planning Organization funds reserved for transit stop improvements and will return with a presentation on stop/shelter options.
No contract action was taken at the May 20 meeting; funding requests will be considered as part of Marion's FY26 budget process.
