How did Iowa City make its buses free?

Iowa City eliminated bus fares in August 2023 as a two-year pilot program, funded initially by Covid-19 relief funds and now extended through utility taxes and parking fees.

What were the results of Iowa City's free bus program?

The program led to an 18% increase in ridership, reduced traffic congestion, and significantly lowered carbon dioxide emissions by an amount equivalent to taking 5,200 vehicles off the road.

Is New York City planning to make its buses free?

New York City's mayor-elect won his race with a promise to make buses free, inspired in part by the success of Iowa City's fare-free transit initiative.

Home / Business and Economy / NYC Mayor-Elect Eyes Iowa's Free Buses

NYC Mayor-Elect Eyes Iowa's Free Buses

24 Nov, 2025

•

Summary

Iowa City's free bus program reduced emissions significantly.
Ridership in Iowa City increased by 18% post-fare elimination.
New York City's mayor-elect proposes a similar fare-free transit plan.

Iowa City's bold move to eliminate bus fares two years ago has yielded impressive results, offering a potential blueprint for other major cities. The pilot program, launched in August 2023, aimed to reduce car emissions and boost public transit use.

Within two years, ridership surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 18 percent, and city streets became less congested. Government calculations show a reduction of 1.8 million miles driven and 24,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to removing over 5,000 vehicles. The program's popularity led the City Council to extend it for another year.