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County approves SWIPCO rural transit joint participation agreement after director's ridership briefing
Summary
The board approved a joint participation agreement with SWIPCO after Transit Director Mark Lander described roughly 530,000 annual rides, low per‑ride costs and a new $50,000 state pilot to expand hospital transportation starting July 1.
Pottawattamie County supervisors voted to approve a rural transit system joint participation agreement with the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) after a presentation from SWIPCO Transit Director Mark Lander.
Lander, who said he drove in from Atlantic to brief the board, said the system provides about 530,000 rides annually and operates at a relatively low per‑ride cost. "We provide right around 530,000 rides," he said, and noted the agency was recently named regional transit agency of the year in Iowa for the fourth time. Lander described an upcoming state‑funded pilot — $50,000 available July 1 — to expand transport to hospitals for county residents, and said some specialized work routes (for employers such as OSI and Monogram Foods) respond to regional demand.
Board members asked operational questions, including whether vehicles are handicap accessible, how many counties are served (Lander said the hospital pilot now serves Pottawattamie County and could expand into Mills County next year), and how ridership compares year‑to‑year. Lander said the agency grew through the COVID years and expects continued modest increases.
Supervisor Miller moved to approve the joint participation agreement and Supervisor Jorgensen seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote.
The approval authorizes the county chairman to sign the joint‑participation agreement with SWIPCO. Lander said the county's coordination with cities and the state helps in grant applications and program stability.
