HIRTA News Blog

Due to a reduction in funds HIRTA receives from Aging Resources of Central Iowa, HIRTA will be changing the way donation based trips are covered. The change will take effect July 1, 2019. At HIRTA, we understand how important transportation is for senior citizens. In order to provide transportation to the services most critical, we will have to limit the types of trips done on a donation basis. Seniors can still ride HIRTA for all of their favorite things, to their favorite destinations, but they will not all be on a donation basis. If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at erides@ridehirta.com or 1-877-686-0029 for more information. 

HIRTA is so thankful for the financial support of the Story County BOS... they have always understood the importance of Public Transit, and help when they can with matching funds, so we can replace Federally funded vehicles.  Thank you!!! 

Story County adds seven new HIRTA buses

The board matched a $97,725 total to replace seven HIRTA vehicles for the county. The buses won’t be available until fiscal year 2020, which starts on July 1.

HIRTA is a door-to-door transit service for the general public, including persons with disabilities. HIRTA provides its services to community members in a number of counties, including Story County.

The models being replaced are 2008 and 2009 models, with roughly 290,000 in mileage.

The buses are being purchased with a $7 million grant awarded to the Iowa Department of Transportation in December for rural transit vehicle replacements.

The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) awarded Julia Castillo, Executive Director as 

Transit Manager of the Year. Julia has transformed the image of rural transportation, and has done a wonderful 

job representing Iowa on the national stage; we are lucky to have her call HIRTA home. On behalf of HIRTA we thank 

Julia for her dedication to rural public transportation, our mission of providing public transportation in Central Iowa and 

her outstanding service to our customers. Congratulations Julia!

Pictured: Randy Zobrist (River Bend Transit), Julia Castillo, FTA Administrator K. Jane Williams, and CTAA Director Scott Bogren.

Get on Board Day, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, is a national awareness and advocacy day highlighting the many ways public transit provides economical, social, cultural, environmental, and safety benefits for all Americans. 

In honor of Get On Board Day, HIRTA will be providing free rides to new customers on April 25, 2019. 

Help us raise awareness about the value of public transportation by adding your name to the National Get On Board Day petition by clicking here.