The Iowa Transportation Commission approved more than $2.3 million in grants for four intercity transportation providers for the calendar year 2019 Intercity Bus Program. The Commission approved the funds for nine projects submitted by the following four entities.

  • Burlington Trailways
  • Jefferson Lines
  • City of Dubuque Public Transit (The Jule)
  • City of Fort Dodge

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. This 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.

A listing of the individual projects and funding amounts is available on the Iowa Department of Transportation’s website http://www.iowadot.gov/transit/funding/