Transit Committee on September 24, 2020
Minutes
Committee came to order at 6:30 p.m.
Members present were Gerry Kuhl, (could hear but not speak or see). Brian
Wayson. Brenda Conry, Jim Jetter and Terry Donahue.
Dena Hess Absent. Other attendees were Angela McConville and Kelzye Bedwell
of Horizons.
Ms. Bedwell spoke to us as per invitation sent by Gerry Kuhl. She reviewed the
new transportation services which will start in November/December of this year
in the Cedar Rapids area. The program is an on-demand service called VIA. This
service is an on-demand service. Customer service is initiated by smart phone app
or computer app.
The service area is basically 25 sq. miles. There is anticipated a wait/response to
pickup in 12 minutes. Stops would be intermittent based on number of
passengers and drop-off points of the passengers.
Average per trip cost is approximately $9.00. Cost could be subsidized to help
lower personal customer charges.
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Ms. Bedwell projected possible 3 vehicles to be used. There would be an
estimated basic cost to the city in terms of vehicle maintenance/usage and
software.
As the system starts up in the Cedar Rapids and surrounding area, a better gauge
of cost can occur.
The next item was what additions to the NLTAP program is terms of stops will be
recommended to the City Council. It is being recommended that Coralville Wal-
Mart be added in full, not just for RX only. Secondly, our services would be
available for cardholders to pick up sick children from school as well as parentteacher
conferences or other evening school related conferences.
We are deferring permitted trips to Kirkwood Community College in Coralville and
southeast Iowa City campuses. Also trips to the Senior Center in Iowa City are
deferred as well.
In open discussion, Ms. McConville reported that she is having our NLTAP
information, application, etc., is being interpreted for foreign persons who may
have benefit using our service.
Finally, it must be reported that some of us experienced a Zoom outage from 7:01
to 7:04 p.m.; cause unknown. Rejoining was not a problem.
Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Submitted by Terry L. Donahue
