Transportation is critical to how people access jobs, health care, shopping, and community. Johnson County’s Trip Connect program, which started in December 2024 and ended June 30, 2026, was designed around the idea that when people have reliable ways to get where they need to go, the entire community benefits.
Trip Connect provided curb-to-curb transportation when traditional public transit was not available. Through an app, riders could book an on-demand or scheduled rides and be matched with a driver and other passengers traveling in the same direction.
The program was originally funded through a grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation, which Greater IC advocated for, as well as contributions from the City of North Liberty and Kirkwood Community College. Trip Connect recently ended due to a lack of financial support. With that said, Greater IC believes the program filled an important gap in the transportation network and added value to our community.
Here are some experiences shared with Greater IC over the last few weeks about the program.
Rider #1: “I was really upset when it stopped because that was my form of transportation after work. I would use the bus to get to work but I would get off in the evenings past 7 o’clock at night. I work twelve-hour shifts.”
Rider #2: “I was working third shift and they [a local nonprofit] explained to me how Johnson County has a ride share for $2 that I could get a ride to work when the buses weren’t running. I used Uber and Lyft, [and] at certain times they would change my normal ride from $6.95 to I believe the most it ever cost me was $36.95.”
Rider #3: “On my route they would pick up people who might have difficulty having a car. This program could give them the freedom to get a job and to connect to the community.”
These experiences illustrate why transportation is an economic and community-development issue. In Johnson County, many residents live in one municipality while working in another. In 2023, more than 23,000 people commuted to jobs in Iowa City while living outside city limits, while approximately 14,000 people lived in Iowa City but worked elsewhere.
Trip Connect demonstrated how flexible transportation can bridge those gaps — connecting people to work, family, services and opportunity. When transportation works, people are better connected and our local economy is stronger.
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