Councilmembers express interest in exploring fare-free transit pilot after resident appeals

During public comment and council reports, residents and councilmembers urged consideration of fare-free transit. Resident Peyton Carpenter recommended the council consider fare-free transit similar to Iowa City's program and said it resulted in a "778 metric ton decrease in carbon dioxide and 1.8 million fewer miles driven." Councilperson Knudson said fare-free service was not feasible in the last budget cycle because of uncertainty over state property-tax legislation but that "there is more clarity on the 2% cap on growth" and urged a sustainable approach; he asked to coordinate with Director of Parking and Transportation Vicky Robrock and requested the topic be scheduled no later than Robrock’s planned November presentation.