(Atlantic) Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) is celebrating Ride Transit Week this week and is encouraging residents to explore public transportation options in the region — and take a ride.
With themed events and driver appreciation activities planned, SWITA aims to highlight the importance of public transit, which gets Americans to work, school, healthcare, and more. In 2024 alone, Americans logged 7.66 billion public transit trips, saving an estimated 6 billion gallons of gasoline and supporting job creation, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
Locally, SWITA continues to see strong ridership with 552,231 rides provided in fiscal year 2024 and similar numbers projected for 2025. Services include community taxi programs, medical and workforce transportation, school routes, and charter trips — all with wheelchair-accessible vehicles and free rides for personal attendants.
SWITA’s excellence was recognized again this year with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Regional Transit System of the Year award — the agency’s third consecutive win.
As part of Ride Transit Week, SWITA also announced that student transportation registration is now open for the 2025-26 school year. In-town student transportation is available in Atlantic, Glenwood, Harlan, and Red Oak. Families can register and pay at www.SWITA.com.
