The Johnson County Social Services Department seeks proposals from qualified transit operators to deliver curb-to-curb, on-demand, and pre-scheduled transit services for its Trip Connect program. Funding will cover the period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, with the possibility of extending or an additional year, contingent upon fund availability and project success.

Trip Connect seeks to address transportation needs in the growing portion of northern Johnson County. This pilot service, overseen by CorridorRides and managed by Johnson County, is intended to fill gaps in public transportation coverage and assess the demand for transportation to employment and education hubs. This program is the result of a coalition of human service agencies, employers, and transportation providers, facilitated by the Johnson County Mobility Coordinator. The interested stakeholders have studied the need for this type of service over the past two years.

Funding to pilot Trip Connect was secured through grants from the State of Iowa Department of Transportation Special Project and the National Center for Mobility Management Ready to Launch as well as Johnson County’s Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

A bidder’s conference is set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, for interested parties to attend virtually as they learn about detailed insights, objectives, application procedures, and expectations of the program.

More details can be found at https://johnsoncountyiowa.gov/bids-and-proposals. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024.