The Iowa Transportation Commission this week approved over $2.3 million in grant funding for four intercity transportation providers for the upcoming year's Intercity Bus Program.
The commission approved funding for nine projects submitted by four entities: Burlington Trailways; Jefferson Lines; City of Dubuque Public Transit (The Jule); and City of Fort Dodge.
The Iowa DOT says that with the current trend in intercity bus transportation moving away from rural connectivity into more urban-to-urban service, these funds play a vital role in keeping rural Iowa connected to other areas within the state of Iowa, the Midwest, and the nation.
The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s 5311(f) program intended to support intercity bus providers that serve communities with less than 20,000 residents.
Eleven applications were received this year, requesting a total of $2,586,070, highlighting the important role of this funding. Jefferson Lines received funds to replace three over the road coaches, and Burlington Trailways received funds to replace one over the road coach. New vehicles will replace older buses in their fleet, therefore lowering overall maintenance costs. These two entities, as well as The Jule and Fort Dodge, received funding for the marketing of their existing services.
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SOURCE: Iowa DOT
