Coordination of transit and school busing in Iowa.

PDFTech ReportCTRE Project 03-154School busesElementary school studentsHigh school studentsStudentsPublic transitSafety programsTraffic safetyIowaIowa. Dept. of TransportationAndrle, Stephen J.Kroeger, DennisMascarello, JillIowa State University. Center for Transportation Research and EducationIowa. Dept. of TransportationUS Transportation Collection"The 2003 Iowa General Assembly asked the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) to conduct a study of Iowa public policyregarding coordination of public transit services and school transportation. This report describes the efficiencies that may be obtainedby coordinating transit management and maintenance systems in the areas of school transportation, public transit, and other forms ofpublic transportation. As requested by the Iowa DOT, the Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE) at Iowa StateUniversity studied these issues and prepared this report.CTRE conducted a survey of the 35 transit agencies in Iowa and school districts served by public transit agencies to determine theextent and nature of coordination. Twenty-three transit agencies coordinate in some manner with over 45 school districts. The nature ofthe coordination varies with the urban or rural nature of the area.The results of the study show that Iowa policy is supportive of coordination activities, coordination occurs when there is clear benefit toboth parties, coordination can result in efficiencies and cost savings, and the safety records of school bus and public transit in Iowa areboth excellent and comparable.