Iowa City’s Fare-Free Buses Boost Ridership 18%, Cut CO2 Emissions
Fare-Free Transit Triumph: Iowa City’s Bold Experiment Clears Roads and Skies
In the heart of the Midwest, Iowa City has quietly launched a transportation revolution that’s drawing national attention. Since August 2023, the city has eliminated fares on its entire bus system, a move initially pitched as a two-year pilot to boost ridership and combat climate change. What started as an ambitious experiment has yielded stunning results: surging passenger numbers, reduced traffic congestion, and a measurable drop in carbon emissions. This initiative, extended through at least June 2026, offers a blueprint for other municipalities grappling with urban mobility and environmental challenges in an era of escalating climate urgency…