Iowa’s public transit system is available to anyone who wishes to use it.

One out of every 16 households does not own a vehicle. This means that according to 2010 census data, of the more than 1.2 million Iowa households, nearly 72,000 are without a vehicle. For households with vehicles, an average of 18 cents of every dollar is spent on transportation, 94 percent of which covers the purchase, operation and maintenance of personal vehicle. Public transportation provides an affordable alternative to maintaining a personal vehicle.

Many Iowans use public transit to get to medical appointments, to go to work and school, and to go shopping for goods and services. Thousands of people depend on public transit for the mobility they need to maintain an independent lifestyle and ensure a top quality of life. Public transit is critical to serving the basic medical, nutritional, social and day-to-day of Iowa's seniors.

Nationally, 62 percent of public transit users are female, 31 percent are senior citizens, and 23 percent are disabled. Nearly 40 percent of the country’s transit dependent population – primarily senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and low income individuals – live in rural areas.