CyRide’s #23 Orange Route is a major circulator route connecting the Iowa State Center lot, Maple-Willow-Larch Residence Hall and Central Campus locations. It is the busiest route in the State of Iowa carrying nearly 2.0 million rides each year. As ridership continues to grow on this route, CyRide is in the process of identifying modifications to the route to improve its operating efficiency while at the same time providing a better level of service for its customers. This study began in the spring of 2013 with the collection rider surveys, on-off rider counts, development of potential changes and initial public meetings. It is anticipated that the study will completed in late 2015, with recommendations to CyRide’s Transit Board of Trustees at its conclusion.  For more information on the study methodology and scope of work, click here.

CyRide held an informal open house on Thursday, January 22nd from 2:00 pm - 6:30 pm in the Maple-Willow-Larch Commons area near the hall desk to receive rider input regarding three possible alternatives to improve service on the #23 Orange Route.  View a presentation (22:48) of the Orange Route capacity issues and alternatives at the bottom of this page to obtain more information about this options.  

As documented within the January 13, 2016 Board Meeting Minutes, CyRide's Board has determined that Bus Rapid Transit is the preferred alternative for the corridor between Iowa State Center and Iowa State University campus and requested that staff begin the process of developing material for a possible federal New Start/Small Start grant request.  This process will entail submitting a letter of request to the Federal Transit Administration to enter into Project Development, with the understanding that the Ames Transit Agency Board of Trustees is not obligating itself to the next step of financial commitment to the project. Obligation of local funding will occur during the Project Development phase.