Waterloo council hears plan for three‑year microtransit pilot north of river

MET Transit representatives told the City Council on Aug. 17 that a three‑year microtransit pilot could fill service gaps north of the Cedar River and connect riders to major employers and fixed routes.

"We are a separate entity from, both, cities," MET Transit speaker David Stearch said, explaining MET's role and the proposed model. "So moving along, along with some more goals, you, might recognize the council goals that, the city of Waterloo looked at for their 2030 vision." Stearch described the service as app‑driven shared rides in smaller vans intended to provide first‑ and last‑mile access to the fixed‑route system and said the pilot would be contracted to a consultant to operate vehicles and an app while MET would administer grants and report ridership.

City staff and Intercog planners said the pilot would run in designated zones and aim to launch after grant decisions in fall and winter. "It is, traditionally provided in designated service areas," Stearch said, later offering cost estimates: about $67,000 startup and annual operating costs in the high hundreds of thousands per jurisdiction over the three‑year pilot. Nick Fratsky of the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments said nearby cities such as Cedar Rapids and Des Moines have used microtransit and that similar scaled systems informed the proposal.

Council members asked whether the pilot would include Evansdale, who would own data and bear financial risk, and how fares would be set. MET said the pilot initially would cover Waterloo and Cedar Falls only, that a consultant would track data with MET receiving reporting for federal reimbursement purposes, and that fares were not finalized but could range "from a dollar and 0.5 to $5" depending on consultant recommendations. Staff advised the council a resolution supporting grant submittals was likely to appear on an upcoming meeting agenda.

The presentation closed with a local viewpoint from Robin Dedraj, Waterloo Public Library director, who described similar services in Central Pennsylvania as "transformative" for connecting residents to medical appointments and groceries. Council members signaled interest in moving toward grant applications and additional council briefings before committing city funds.