Where it stands: Council agreed at the October 15 strategic planning session that keeping transit fare free is a priority and to focus on sustaining its funding through revenue rather than service cuts.
Next: Staff follow-up as directed by council.
Sources
The city's posted City Council agendas and minutes (Granicus portal: https://icgov.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1) and meeting video from the City of Iowa City YouTube channel when available. Minutes list only ayes; nays and absences are not recorded here.
Council changed the action from evaluating feasibility to sustaining funding for zero fare transit. The City Manager noted transit revenue growth is limited to 2 percent and diesel prices are high; reserves could carry current service about another year. Members preferred finding revenue over reducing service, while asking staff to share cost-per-rider data and bring route recommendations. A spring work session on transit revenue options and ridership was proposed, and members saw a possible legislative opening on regional transit authority population thresholds.