(Ames) Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) won two major awards at the 2024 Iowa Public Transit Association Annual Awards. SWITA was named the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Regional Transit System of the Year for its record ridership and cost-efficiency. It also received the FTA Region 7 Rural Transit Systems Award of Excellence for the highest year-over-year ridership increase from 2021-2022.
SWITA’s ridership grew from 377,547 rides in 2021 to 480,229 in 2022, and further increased to 526,300 in 2023.
Transit Director Mark Lander attributed the success to the dedication of SWITA staff. SWITA provides accessible transportation across an eight-county region, offering work routes, medical trips, student transportation, taxi services, and charter trips.
Southwest Iowa Planning Council Executive Director John McCurdy praised SWITA’s staff and drivers for their commitment, highlighting the importance of public transportation for community accessibility and economic impact.
