In Iowa City, 195 residents have signed a petition for Sunday bus service. This is a positive step, but what is also needed is a survey of where the needs are and alternative transportation if it is inefficient to offer a full bus schedule. For instance there are grants that cities can apply for to offer workplace-oriented transport either using local cabs, shuttles or even special buses.
According to the Press-Citizen, Sherry Christoffer, 42, a regular transit rider. “I found out people had to give up jobs because there is no bus service that day.” Christoffer, who isn’t able to drive because of her epilepsy, said the city should run buses on Sundays because it is a public service.
Meanwhile, city officials say councilors have supported the idea in the past but money has always curbed discussions. “We have discussed Sunday bus service before but have been limited by budget constraints,” city transit director Joe Fowler said.
For persons with disabilities such as Christoffer, SEATS does run, but at a cost of $1.50 per trip (as opposed to $.75 for a regular city bus). It would be interesting to know what the ridership on SEATS is on Sundays. Perhaps it would be more efficient for SEATS buses to be used for all passengers on Sundays?
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