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Our Research
A variety of public transit services operate in Johnson County. Low-income and disabled workers rely on these services for access to employment opportunities, housing, education, healthcare, and public services. Yet for many residents, the current system does not meet their transportation needs. Imagine losing your job or being unable to accept employment because you have no affordable way to get to work. For those lacking transportation options, limited mobility narrows available employment and housing choices, creating a major roadblock to securing a viable livelihood. Our decade of research has documented these disparities and their impact on both workers and employers. |
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2015 Community Transportation Survey
In 2015 we conducted a comprehensive study of community transportation needs in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty. We surveyed 157 residents accessing public services at emergency shelters, food pantries, neighborhood centers, and community events. Our research has been referenced by transit officials and community leaders and has spurred re-evaluation of bus routes and transportation services.
Among our 2015 survey respondents, 56% earned less than $10,000 per year. The survey revealed critical gaps in the transportation system. Forty percent of respondents reported turning down a job due to poor transportation, 35% had lost a job, and 30% gave up looking for work they wanted. Among those who experienced job loss or turned down employment due to transportation barriers, 11pm was the most common shift start time, followed by 7am.
The main challenges accessing public transit to get to work or job interviews were that buses did not run when needed and did not run frequently enough. The most difficult times to access work were late night (9pm to midnight), early morning (midnight to 7am), and evening (6pm to 9pm). These times all fall outside of regular hours of operation for Iowa City and Coralville Transit. Respondents identified 7am and 11pm as the most frequently requested times for additional service.
Financial barriers compounded these challenges. Even when employment is found, the cost of a bus pass can be impossible to cover until the first paycheck is received, limiting employment options to those within walking distance.
2018 Employer Survey
In 2018, we expanded our research to understand the employer perspective. We surveyed 53 hiring managers from businesses across Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, representing retail, manufacturing, construction, technology, restaurants, and hotels.
The findings reinforced what workers had reported three years earlier. Half of all surveyed employers rated public transportation options as "fair" to "poor," with 20% selecting "very poor." North Liberty employers expressed the highest dissatisfaction, with 71% rating options as "very poor." Hotels, construction companies, and manufacturers reported the most significant challenges.
Transportation issues directly impacted workforce retention. Half of employers reported losing employees "sometimes," "often," or "frequently" due to transportation problems. The challenges were most pronounced for businesses operating during second shift, third shift, or weekend hours, highlighting a critical mismatch between transit availability and the needs of a large segment of the local workforce.
2025 Transit-Oriented Development Analysis
Our most recent research examines how strategic development patterns can strengthen the connection between housing, employment, and public transit. Using GIS analysis, we identified areas in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty with the highest potential for transit-oriented development (TOD) based on transit accessibility, social equity, housing development capacity, and employment concentration.
The analysis found that high-potential TOD areas. These areas feature strong transit accessibility, high concentrations of zero-vehicle households and low-income residents who depend on public transportation, significant employment and service density, and potential for residential development. However, current low-density zoning regulations in many of these high-potential areas significantly constrain TOD implementation.
This research demonstrates that promoting TOD in high-potential areas can increase public transit usage, improve the financial sustainability of the transit system, advance inclusive housing development, and enhance transportation equity for zero-vehicle households and low-income groups.
Progress and Ongoing Challenges
Our research has contributed to meaningful improvements in Johnson County transit. In 2021, Iowa City implemented significant changes based on the Iowa City Area Transit Study, including eliminating fares to make Iowa City Transit completely free, simplifying routes so each follows the same path regardless of day or time, increasing service frequency on core routes to every 30 minutes, expanding Saturday service to nearly all routes, and improving coordination between transit agencies.
These changes address several barriers identified in our research, particularly the financial obstacles that prevented workers from affording bus passes before receiving their first paycheck. However, significant gaps remain that continue to limit employment opportunities for transit-dependent workers.
What We've Learned
Together, these studies paint a comprehensive picture of transportation barriers in Johnson County from multiple perspectives: the experiences of workers who depend on transit, the challenges faced by employers trying to maintain their workforce, and the land use patterns that either support or hinder transit-oriented communities.
Our research shows that transportation inequity is not just a social issue but an economic one, affecting workforce participation, business operations, and regional economic vitality. The findings suggest that addressing these challenges requires coordinated action across transit service expansion, fare policy reform, route optimization, and land use planning.
Remaining Priorities
Despite recent improvements, our research indicates these areas still need attention:
Expand Service to Evening, Late Night, and Early Morning Hours Our research consistently shows that evening, late night, and early morning service gaps create the most significant employment barriers. The most difficult times to access work remain 9pm to midnight, midnight to 7am, and 6pm to 9pm. Workers starting shifts at 11pm and 7am face particular challenges. Night shift workers deserve the same service reliability that daytime workers receive.
Improve Service to North Liberty Both our 2018 employer survey and 2025 TOD analysis highlight North Liberty as having severely limited transit access. Employers there expressed the highest dissatisfaction with transit options (71% rating service as "very poor"), and the TOD analysis confirmed minimal transit coverage. Strengthening connections between Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty remains a critical need.
Increase Frequency on More Routes While recent improvements increased frequency on some core routes, over 28% of respondents in our 2015 survey identified bus frequency as their most significant problem. More frequent service reduces wait times and makes transit viable for workers with time-sensitive schedules.
Unify the Regional Transit System Coralville Transit still operates separately from Iowa City Transit with different fare structures. While Iowa City is now free, coordination between systems remains incomplete. Some of the most successful transit systems in the United States are unified under one transit agency, even in places with large universities such as Athens (GA), Champaign (IL), and Eugene (OR). True regional consolidation would benefit all riders through simplified fares, integrated routes, and more efficient service.
Support Transit-Oriented Development Our TOD analysis identifies specific opportunities to align housing and employment development with transit access. Prioritizing upzoning in high-potential TOD areas and along major transit corridors, would create more housing near transit, reduce car dependency, and strengthen the financial sustainability of the transit system. Mixed-use development policies, utilization of government-owned parcels, and reforms to low-density zoning restrictions are essential to realizing this potential.
Address Infrastructure Gaps Many bus stops still lack shelters, exposing riders to Iowa's harsh weather conditions. Investment in bus stop infrastructure would improve the rider experience and make transit more accessible year-round.
In 2015 we conducted a comprehensive study of community transportation needs in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty. We surveyed 157 residents accessing public services at emergency shelters, food pantries, neighborhood centers, and community events. Our research has been referenced by transit officials and community leaders and has spurred re-evaluation of bus routes and transportation services.
Among our 2015 survey respondents, 56% earned less than $10,000 per year. The survey revealed critical gaps in the transportation system. Forty percent of respondents reported turning down a job due to poor transportation, 35% had lost a job, and 30% gave up looking for work they wanted. Among those who experienced job loss or turned down employment due to transportation barriers, 11pm was the most common shift start time, followed by 7am.
The main challenges accessing public transit to get to work or job interviews were that buses did not run when needed and did not run frequently enough. The most difficult times to access work were late night (9pm to midnight), early morning (midnight to 7am), and evening (6pm to 9pm). These times all fall outside of regular hours of operation for Iowa City and Coralville Transit. Respondents identified 7am and 11pm as the most frequently requested times for additional service.
Financial barriers compounded these challenges. Even when employment is found, the cost of a bus pass can be impossible to cover until the first paycheck is received, limiting employment options to those within walking distance.
2018 Employer Survey
In 2018, we expanded our research to understand the employer perspective. We surveyed 53 hiring managers from businesses across Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, representing retail, manufacturing, construction, technology, restaurants, and hotels.
The findings reinforced what workers had reported three years earlier. Half of all surveyed employers rated public transportation options as "fair" to "poor," with 20% selecting "very poor." North Liberty employers expressed the highest dissatisfaction, with 71% rating options as "very poor." Hotels, construction companies, and manufacturers reported the most significant challenges.
Transportation issues directly impacted workforce retention. Half of employers reported losing employees "sometimes," "often," or "frequently" due to transportation problems. The challenges were most pronounced for businesses operating during second shift, third shift, or weekend hours, highlighting a critical mismatch between transit availability and the needs of a large segment of the local workforce.
2025 Transit-Oriented Development Analysis
Our most recent research examines how strategic development patterns can strengthen the connection between housing, employment, and public transit. Using GIS analysis, we identified areas in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty with the highest potential for transit-oriented development (TOD) based on transit accessibility, social equity, housing development capacity, and employment concentration.
The analysis found that high-potential TOD areas. These areas feature strong transit accessibility, high concentrations of zero-vehicle households and low-income residents who depend on public transportation, significant employment and service density, and potential for residential development. However, current low-density zoning regulations in many of these high-potential areas significantly constrain TOD implementation.
This research demonstrates that promoting TOD in high-potential areas can increase public transit usage, improve the financial sustainability of the transit system, advance inclusive housing development, and enhance transportation equity for zero-vehicle households and low-income groups.
Progress and Ongoing Challenges
Our research has contributed to meaningful improvements in Johnson County transit. In 2021, Iowa City implemented significant changes based on the Iowa City Area Transit Study, including eliminating fares to make Iowa City Transit completely free, simplifying routes so each follows the same path regardless of day or time, increasing service frequency on core routes to every 30 minutes, expanding Saturday service to nearly all routes, and improving coordination between transit agencies.
These changes address several barriers identified in our research, particularly the financial obstacles that prevented workers from affording bus passes before receiving their first paycheck. However, significant gaps remain that continue to limit employment opportunities for transit-dependent workers.
What We've Learned
Together, these studies paint a comprehensive picture of transportation barriers in Johnson County from multiple perspectives: the experiences of workers who depend on transit, the challenges faced by employers trying to maintain their workforce, and the land use patterns that either support or hinder transit-oriented communities.
Our research shows that transportation inequity is not just a social issue but an economic one, affecting workforce participation, business operations, and regional economic vitality. The findings suggest that addressing these challenges requires coordinated action across transit service expansion, fare policy reform, route optimization, and land use planning.
Remaining Priorities
Despite recent improvements, our research indicates these areas still need attention:
Expand Service to Evening, Late Night, and Early Morning Hours Our research consistently shows that evening, late night, and early morning service gaps create the most significant employment barriers. The most difficult times to access work remain 9pm to midnight, midnight to 7am, and 6pm to 9pm. Workers starting shifts at 11pm and 7am face particular challenges. Night shift workers deserve the same service reliability that daytime workers receive.
Improve Service to North Liberty Both our 2018 employer survey and 2025 TOD analysis highlight North Liberty as having severely limited transit access. Employers there expressed the highest dissatisfaction with transit options (71% rating service as "very poor"), and the TOD analysis confirmed minimal transit coverage. Strengthening connections between Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty remains a critical need.
Increase Frequency on More Routes While recent improvements increased frequency on some core routes, over 28% of respondents in our 2015 survey identified bus frequency as their most significant problem. More frequent service reduces wait times and makes transit viable for workers with time-sensitive schedules.
Unify the Regional Transit System Coralville Transit still operates separately from Iowa City Transit with different fare structures. While Iowa City is now free, coordination between systems remains incomplete. Some of the most successful transit systems in the United States are unified under one transit agency, even in places with large universities such as Athens (GA), Champaign (IL), and Eugene (OR). True regional consolidation would benefit all riders through simplified fares, integrated routes, and more efficient service.
Support Transit-Oriented Development Our TOD analysis identifies specific opportunities to align housing and employment development with transit access. Prioritizing upzoning in high-potential TOD areas and along major transit corridors, would create more housing near transit, reduce car dependency, and strengthen the financial sustainability of the transit system. Mixed-use development policies, utilization of government-owned parcels, and reforms to low-density zoning restrictions are essential to realizing this potential.
Address Infrastructure Gaps Many bus stops still lack shelters, exposing riders to Iowa's harsh weather conditions. Investment in bus stop infrastructure would improve the rider experience and make transit more accessible year-round.
