Cedar Rapids Bringing Back Saturday Bus Service
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Cedar Rapids Transit will resume its Saturday service on June 11, and will continue considering the option of evening service.
While everyone can ride for free right now, that is soon to change, although a reduced fare change from $1.50 to $1.00 is currently on the table. When fare collection resumes, the cost will NOT apply to Cedar Rapids students, who according to Iowa's News Now, can ride for free, anytime, year-round, sponsored by the Student Fare Program that applies to students at Cedar Rapids Community School District, Kirkwood Community College, and Coe College.
The pandemic halted the Saturday bus service
After having made it free of charge to ride for much of the pandemic, Cedar Rapids Transit will again have to begin charging, with the base fare having been at $1.50 a ride.
More riders+more federal funding=better likelihood of night service
The transit system has relied on pandemic funding to bring in revenue, allowing them to offer free rides for the past couple of years, and still be able to pay staff while halting a day of service. Resuming service on Saturday is expected to increase ridership to pre-pandemic levels or very close to it. The more ridership increases, the more likely federal funding can keep increasing as well, at which time the feasibility of night service can be re-assessed.
Marion won't move forward with its own transit system
After having toyed with the idea of creating its own bus service, it was recently announced Marion will continue its association with the Cedar Rapids program for at least another year, according to a story from the Gazette.