(Atlantic, Iowa) – Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) will be celebrating Ride Transit Week July 15 th through the
19th and encourages the public to find out more about public transit in the region and take a ride on SWITA.

Public transit gets Americans to work, to education, to healthcare, and more. It also helps job creation, alleviates traffic congestion, and reduces emissions. In 2023 Americans traveled 36.87 billion miles on public transit during 7.11 billion trips. 6 billion gallons of gasoline are saved each year by using public transportation and a 5-to-1 economic return is produced by long-term investment in public transit.

SWITA officials say they are proud to be part of that public transit equation right here in eight Iowa counties. SWITA has continued to support record public transit ridership in the region year-over-year with 520,000 rides in fiscal year 2023 and anticipating a total of over 550,000 for fiscal year 2024. SWITA’s ride services include taxis in six communities, medical transportation, student transportation, workforce transportation, and special/charter trips. SWITA vehicles are equipped with wheelchair accessibility and one personal attendant rides free.

SWITA will be celebrating Ride Transit Week with many offerings, highlighted by an appearance on Thursday, July 18th at Produce in the Park in Atlantic City Park. Stop by and see the SWITA crew for fun, prizes, and information. Mini SWITA buses will be hidden throughout the park for visitors to find and return to the SWITA table for a prize. Other activities will include kids’ handprint painting on a flag, a chance to check out a SWITA bus, information available about services and how to sign up, and other fun and giveaways.

Seven area communities have already issued or will be issuing Mayoral Proclamations supporting Ride Transit Week: Atlantic, Council Bluffs, Glenwood, Harlan, Missouri Valley, Red Oak, and Shenandoah. SWITA operates a taxi service in six of those communities and the Special Transit Service (STS) in Council Bluffs.

SWITA has earned major honors for its service this year. SWITA was named the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Regional Transit System of the Year and received the FTA Region 7 Rural Transit Systems Award of Excellence.

To find out more about SWITA and the services offered you can browse SWITA.com or call 800-842- 8065 or 712-243-2518. Follow us on Facebook for regular updates as well. SWITA services are open to the public. Help SWITA celebrate Ride Transit Week July 15-19, 2024!