Regional Transportation

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Regional Transportation (Story County)

Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA)

Phone: 877-686-0029
Purpose: Public transportation throughout Story County
Eligibility: Anyone can ride (wheelchair accessible)
Reservations required:

24 hours in advance
Schedule a ride by calling or HIRTA
For the fastest service when scheduling your trip, call between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
By reserving trips two or more days in advance, you will have the best chance of scheduling a ride at your preferred time.
You may reserve a ride up to 14 days in advance of your trip.

Cost: $3 one way in Ames; $6.00 outside of Ames within Story County
Call HIRTA for more information about reduced fares.
Trips to Nevada or Boone are limited (call HIRTA for more information)

Intercity Providers Stopping in Ames (State of Iowa & Nationwide)

Jefferson Lines

Phone: (800) 451-5333
Purpose: Transportation throughout the State of Iowa, Midwest Region or connections nationwide. View map of all intercity providers in Iowa.
Ames Boarding Location: Ames Intermodal Facility (AIF); 129 Hayward Ave., Ames, IA 50010
Cost: Fluctuates depending on destination
Transportation to/from the Ames Intermodal Facility through the following resources:
- CyRide - #25 Gold Route (one block away @ Welch/Chamberlain)
  #1 Red Eastbound, #3 Blue (Lincoln Way/Welch - two blocks away)
  #7 Purple, #11 Cherry, #12 Lilac (Lincoln Way/Sheldon)
  To access schedules to these routes, please visit CyRide's Summer timetables (summer map) OR School year timetables (school year map)
  For more information, please call CyRide at 292-1100.
- Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA): Toll free 1-(877) 686-0029
- Yellowcab: (515) 282-8111 (Dispatched from Des Moines)

Ames Intermodal Facility (AIF)

AIF Parking Information OR Iowa State University's Parking Division

Phone: (515) 294-3388
Purpose: Provides one stop access to transportation outside of the Ames community
Eligibility: General Public (first come/first serve)
Location: 129 Hayward Ave., Ames, IA 50010 (Hayward/Chamberlain)
Cost: Fluctuates (annual/monthly/daily/hourly parking rates available)
Bike Lockers: Secured bike lockers are available by contacting ISU's Parking Division.
Parking: The AIF is open to the general public to park at a first come, first serve basis. Parking permits are sold at Iowa State University's Parking Division at 27 Armory Building on ISU campus (Bissell/Osborn). Hourly/daily parking is available on-site. In addition, there is "free parking" to qualified carpool/vanpools. Please call 515-294-3388 for more information.
Funded By: Department of Transportation (TIGER) and Iowa Department of Transportation (Intercity Bus Program)

Volunteer Transportation Program (Ames & Story County)

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Phone: (515) 292-8890 or (515) 733-4917
Purpose: To provide Story County residents with safe reliable, and affordable transportation to and from essential services. Priority will be given to those needing rides to in-county medical appointments (doctor appointments, therapy and treatment sessions, picking up medication, etc.) Transportation service is provided entirely by volunteers .
Eligible: Story County Residents (must be ambulatory - able to get to/from car with little assistance)
Reservations required: At least 48 hours (2 days) before trip
Requirement: Fill out client application/waiver form
Days of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (appointments made within these hours)
Suggested Donation for in-county trip: $3.00 - $12.00; Contributions are used to offset the cost of reimbursing volunteer drivers, unless otherwise specified.
Funded By: United Way of Story County, Story County, Aging Resources of Central Iowa and the City of Ames

RideSharing

Caravan By DART

Phone: (515) 292-8890 OR (515) 733-4917
Purpose: To connect commuters who live and work near each other in Central Iowa so they can share rides. Caravan riders save money, use commute times more productively and reduce their carbon footprint. DART provides the van, gas and maintenance; you enjoy the ride!
Eligibility: General Public. After connecting to other same time commuters, DART requires a contract signature & $75 deposit that is returned once ride sharing ends if following criteria are met: 90-day commitment, 30-day written notice of termination and no outstanding fees on account.
Cost: Van drivers ride free while passenger carpool rates are calculated on a cost per mile based on the number of miles traveled per day times a 22 days per month. The Caravan program is a cost-neutral service provided by DART.
Days of Operation: Depends on commuters' work days.

Iowa RideShare

Purpose: Iowa Rideshare connects commuters and travelers who live, work or play near each other so they can share rides via carpool, vanpool, bicycle or public transit. The database can also be utilized to connect individuals for single trips and share a ride within Ames, Story County or across Iowa if your origin and destination are similar.
Eligibility: General Public
Cost: Determined by the commuters (perhaps you don't drive and ride 100% for your shared rides and just provide money for gas OR perhaps you alternate weeks of driving between the commuters.
Days of Operation: Depends on travel days.

Airport Shuttle (Des Moines, Iowa)

Executive Express

Phone: (320) 253-2226
Purpose: Private transportation to/from Des Moines International Airport
Reservations required: Reserve your seat at www.executiveexpress.biz
Days Operated: 365 Days/Year; 7 days/week
Cost: Fluctuates depending on number of passengers and whether one-way trip or round trip

Taxicab Service (Ames & Story County)

Yellowcab

Phone: (515) 282-8111 (Dispatched from Des Moines)

Story County Transportation Brochure

For a brochure of available transportation throughout Story County, please visit www.cyride.com/sct.

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