In Iowa City, second shift workers play a vital role in the community's prosperity and productivity. However, they face unique challenges when it comes to transportation, as public transit often falls short during late hours. It is time we address this disparity and advocate for the implementation of late-night bus service to support these hardworking individuals, ensuring a more inclusive and supportive environment for all residents.

Ensuring Equitable Access to Employment:

​Approximately 15-20% of the U.S. workforce is classified as second shift workers. These individuals typically work during the afternoon and evening hours, usually starting late afternoon and ending around midnight. Second shift workers, including those in healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing, contribute significantly to Iowa City's economy. By providing late night bus service, we can ensure that these essential workers have reliable and convenient transportation options, enabling them to reach their workplaces and contribute to the city's growth.

Enhancing Safety and Security:

Late-night commutes can be challenging, especially for those who work in less well-lit areas or have limited access to transportation options. With late night bus service, we can provide a safer and more secure commute for second shift workers, reducing the risks associated with walking long distances or relying on private vehicles during late hours.

Fostering Work-Life Balance:

The availability of late-night bus service can significantly improve the work-life balance of second shift workers. A reliable and accessible transportation option empowers them to spend more time with their families, engage in community activities, and participate in local events, contributing to a stronger sense of belonging and well-being.

Easing Financial Burdens:

For second shift workers who face limited transportation options, private vehicle usage or ride-sharing services may become costly, impacting their overall financial well-being. Late night bus service offers a more affordable alternative, alleviating financial burdens and enhancing economic stability for these individuals.

Reducing Traffic Congestion and Environmental Impact:

By encouraging second shift workers to use public transportation, late night bus service can reduce the number of private vehicles on the road during late hours. This reduction in traffic congestion not only leads to smoother commutes for all but also contributes to a greener and more sustainable environment, aligning with Iowa City's commitment to environmental conservation.

Promoting Social Inclusion:

Second shift workers, like any other group, deserve to be included in the city's transportation planning and decision-making. By providing late night bus service, we demonstrate our commitment to social inclusion and affirm that Iowa City is a place where every resident's needs are valued and catered to.

As a vibrant and progressive city, Iowa City has a responsibility to ensure that all residents have equal access to opportunities and services, including reliable transportation options for second shift workers. Implementing late night bus service is not just a matter of convenience; it is an essential step towards building a more inclusive, sustainable, and thriving community.

Let us advocate for this much-needed change, supporting those who work tirelessly during non-traditional hours. By providing late night bus service, we demonstrate our commitment to equity, safety, and environmental consciousness, making Iowa City a city that truly cares for all its residents. Together, we can create future where every member of the community thrives, regardless of the hours they work.

This week, the Community Transportation Committee wants to inform you on a program with the same notion we have - transportation should never be a barrier to employment. Some communities simply do not have the density to support circuitous or traditional bus service and need scheduling flexibility. Cedar Rapids is one of those communities. As a result, in 1995, the Neighborhood Transportation Service (NTS) was created to provide better transportation options in the Wellington Heights neighborhood. NTS provider Kelzye Bedwell says, “As many jobs in Cedar Rapids moved further from the town center, individuals faced huge barriers in getting to and from work during second and third shift. Oftentimes cabs wouldn’t take riders in the neighborhood, so many individuals were left without options. A televised town hall brought to light the issues and sparked a collaboration between the Harambe House and United Way of East Central Iowa. Twenty-five years later NTS has expanded to serve all of Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha.”
​Last year, the program provided over 30,000 rides - something we know deserves to be celebrated! For $6 a ride, community members can book their ride in advance by using the NTS app, available on both the App Store and Google Play, or by calling the main office. Eventually, they hope to expand this service to all of Linn County, Iowa. The biggest benefit of this program is that it allows citizens to work second and third shift jobs and access necessary transportation. Bedwell says, “Many places in the nation, especially cities of our size, do not have evening transit available. I am so incredibly proud to be part of continuing to provide the option of night-time transportation and doing everything in my power to improve it.” She says one of the challenges they are often facing is tight funding because it limits their ability to expand service to new populations, but that they are actively seeking new partnerships to alleviate costs. As a nonprofit, working to expand affordable and accessible transportation in Johnson County, we are impressed with what Horizons has accomplished and would like to help work to make more programs like this available in Johnson County. Visit here for more information about the program: https://horizonsfamily.org/nts/

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Dear Council,

On October 6th, the Iowa City Area Transit Study team presented the Preferred Alternative Scenario to the Iowa City City Council for consideration. The presentation included changes to bus routes expected in the short term as well as long term goals and their associated benefits and costs. Two of the lowest cost improvements were Universal Passes, which would unify and simplify Iowa City and Coralville’s disjointed ticketing systems, and the on-demand Night Owl service, which would provide rides for workers getting off late at night. Currently, the Preferred Alternative Scenario does not include Sunday service, one of the top improvements workers in Johnson County have asked for. The presentation did not address concerns about current service gaps experienced by disabled bus pass holders.

The introduction of universal bus passes would allow for the ease of traveling between Iowa City and Coralville without leaving anyone behind. The current fare system is inadequate for serving our community; only the most expensive pass (the 31-day pass) allows passengers to travel between the Iowa City and Coralville transit systems. If riders have purchased a 24-hour or 10-ride pass, they can only use it on either Iowa City or Coralville buses. To add to the problem, riders with discounted fares are not permitted to ride before 9 am and between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm on Monday through Friday. We are requesting that you reevaluate the purpose of this policy that prevents people with these fares from using the bus at their discretion, this policy wildly limits the independence of those with such passes.

We request that you immediately look into how to provide the Night Owl Service. This service could be provided in a variety of ways, including by partnering with local transportation providers. The need for this service is becoming more urgent as the weather gets colder. Johnson County workers should not have to walk on the highway (often in the dark) in order to commute to work simply because their ticket does not allow them to take the bus when their shift starts/ends, or there are no buses available.

In order to provide these services and continuously improve the transit systems, the council should invest in Universal Passes and Night Owl services, and work to build partnerships with employers to fund transportation both late at night and on Sunday. We have the opportunity to get this right and the changes that our community have asked for are clear; transportation is a public service that should be accessible to all.

Thank you,

Community Transportation Committee

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On Tuesday, October 6th at the Iowa City City Council Work Session, the Iowa City Area Transit Study will be presenting possible changes to our community's transportation. We have been educating city council members on the issues experienced by those who use the bus and hope that they use this opportunity to do things right and improve transit for underserved communities. Read the letter we sent to council expressing our concerns:

We will be having a watch party to listen to the recommendations made by the Transit Study and discuss the impact they may have on the community. This meeting is at 5:00pm. Please join at the following link: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/91662829268

Scenario 1, depicted above, aims to increase the frequency of popular routes, to simplify the route network, and to consolidate routes along major commercial and residential corridors. This consolidation centers mainly around downtown Iowa City, with only two high-frequency stops placed outside it at Towncrest and Oakcrest. This placement would shorten the reach of the transit system and may disadvantage Coralville and North Liberty residents.

This scenario has the advantage of favoring the Iowa River Landing portion of Coralville, which holds many businesses and apartments, and promises to attract more riders to the system.  Another advantage is the quicker run-times. A major complaint among residents is the inconsistency and infrequency of the bus system. If one bus is missed, a rider could be delayed 30 minutes to an hour, which greatly discourages residents who need transportation to their jobs, and to whom delay could mean unemployment. 

In this scenario, the Coralville route is broken up into six routes, which may improve the run-time of buses in Coralville, where the issue of delay is at its greatest. But the scenario does this at the cost of lessening the reach of the Coralville transit, and compelling riders to walk farther to catch the bus. Whether this trade-off is worth it will depend on the target ridership. The faster run-times will be better for workers, but the shorter reach will be worse for the elderly. If the city can offset this disadvantage with its on-call service, the trade-off may very well pay off.​

Scenario 3, depicted above, expands service in the evening and on weekends. Based on CTC’s research on the transit needs of low-income workers, service in the evening and on weekends is acutely needed, and this scenario would be the most attractive to people who already ride the bus. This scenario also has the advantage of being able to gather data on the rates of ridership at times that the bus does not currently service, which would help the city ascertain the demand for evening and weekend services.

For commercial areas, weekends are especially important to service, since workers in the service industry work seven days a week (and often late nights). For this reason, evening and weekend access to the Coralville mall is especially important, as well as service to the hospital where shifts also extend late at night. This scenario also provides easier access to industrial parks in the southeast of town by consolidating the Broadway and Mall routes, benefiting low-income workers, which is one of the major targets for a public transportation system.
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While leaving most of the system unchanged may prevent reducing coverage in some areas, this scenario leaves the problem of speed, reliability, and frequency unsolved. And as the general trend of transit ridership in Johnson County has been decreasing, this may not be a satisfactory solution to a city that wants to turn around these losses.

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By: Jacob Atherton