Milestones

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Below is a brief history of CyRide. Since this was compiled after the fact; some events have been inadvertently omitted and some dates are unknown. If anyone remembers a service or date that has been omitted, please contact us and the list will be updated.

See CyRide's active fleet and retired fleet pages for a history of buses operating at CyRide. 

 

 CYRIDE HISTORY

Date Route Day Change
 ? Blue Sa Saturday Blue Route reduced to 40 minute headway.
 ? Blue FBall Blue route shuttle from S. 5th to Depot Annex started.
 ? Blue FBall Blue route shuttle from S. 5th to Friley started.
 ? Brown WD Midday Brown starts.
 ? Brown WD Midday Brown reduced.
 ? Orange WD Night Orange started (to Vet Med, Oakwood, Kate Mitchell).
 ? Orange WD Orange expanded to 10 minute headways.
 ? Red Su Sunday Red route reduced to 40 minute headway.
 ? Shuttle Sa VEISHEA parade shuttle started.
 ? Shuttle WD Library shuttle started. (ran until ?).
 ? Shuttle WD South campus shuttle started (ran until ?).
Sep-76 CyRide   CyRide started as a city department.
Nov-77 CyRide   CyRide office moves to the Ames airport.
Sep-79 Blue WD Blue route started.
Sep-79 Green WD Green route expanded to run all day.
Sep-79 Red WD Red route expanded to run all day.
Sep-80 CyRide   Ames Transit Agency established. Office on Sumner.
Aug-81 CyRide   CyRide office moves to 635 Lincoln Way.
Aug-81 Orange WD Orange route started.
Aug-81 RGB Su Sunday service started.
Aug-81 RGB WD Evening service started.
Aug-81 Yellow WD Yellow route started.
Sep-81 Shuttle FBall Airport to Football stadium shuttle started.
Oct-81 Yellow Sa Saturday Yellow started.
Aug-83 Brown WD Brown route started (rush hours only).
Aug-83 PLS WD Parking Lot shuttle started.
Nov-83 RGB WD Headways reduced to 20 minutes.
Jan-84 CyRide   CyRide moves to 1700 W. 6th St. (now University Blvd.)
Jan-84 CyRide   All America City Award.
Jan-84 CyRide   FTA Award for Outstanding Service.
Aug-84 NR   Night Ride starts.
Aug-85 Blue Sa Saturday Blue Route afternoon to 20 minute headway.
Aug-85 DAR   DAR fares increased to $1.50.
Aug-85 Fares   Full Fares increased to 60 cents.
Aug-85 Red Sa Sunday Red Route afternoon to 20 minute headway.
Aug-85 Red Sa Saturday Red Route afternoon to 20 minute headway.
Aug-85 RGB Su Sunday morning service started.
Nov-85 Shuttle FBall Airport to Football stadium shuttle ended.
Aug-88 Brown WD Night service started.
Aug-88 DAR WD Evening DAR service started.
Jan-89 Purple WD Purple route starts (rush hour only).
Aug-91 Purple WD Two midday trips added.
Jan-92 DAR WE DAR weekend service expanded to comply with ADA.
Aug-92 Yellow WD Night service provided by Orange route (60 minutes)
Aug-92 Yellow WD Begin detour to S. 17th (Dancenter) on request
Aug-92 Purple WD Purple expanded to all day service (40 - 60 minute headways).
Jan-93 MLX   Night Ride service ended.
May-93 Blue All Blue route moved from Eisenhower to Northwestern
May-93 Fares   Fares increased to $0.40/student and $0.90/full fare.
May-93 RGB WD Late morning service reduced to 30 minute headway 9:30am-11:30am
Aug-93 Yellow WD Night service eliminated
Aug-93 Yellow WD 40 minute PM headway; All afternoon trips detour to S. 17th (Dancenter)
Aug-93 Orange WD Night Orange coverage reduced to Vet Med & Oakwood (60 min. headway).
Aug-93 MLX   Moonlight Express started in place of Night Ride.
May-94 Fares   Fares decreased to $0.35/student and $0.75/full fare.
May-94 Brown WD Midday added to operate same all year.
May-94 Orange Sa Saturday Orange to set schedule to Vet Med (3 trips/day).
May-94 Blue Sa Summer Blue Saturday night service started.
Jun-94 Shuttle   Odyssey of the Mind here -- 70,264 passengers.
Aug-94 Yellow WD 30 minute PM headway; S. 17th trips eliminated
Aug-94 Brown WD Midday Brown times expanded.
Aug-94 Orange WD Orange Route expanded to 7-8 minute rush/midday, 15 late AM, 10 minute PM.
Aug-94 Fares   ISU begins to subsidize Staff/Faculty passes
Aug-94 Fares   ISU students can charge semester passes to their UBill
Aug-94 Orange WD Night Orange coverage reduced to Vet Med only (30 minute headway).
Sep-94 Orange WD Bus added to morning rush hour for 4-6 minute interval.
Apr-95 Shuttle   West Ames VEISHEA shuttle started.
May-95 CyRide   APTA Neil E. Goldschmidt Award for outstanding performance & safety.
May-95 Blue Su Summer Blue Sunday night service started.
May-95 Red Su Summer Red Sunday night service started.
Jul-95 RGB WD 2 of 4 sequences wheelchair accessible. All night buses accessible
Jul-95 RGB WE All weekend routes wheelchair accessible.
Aug-95 Brown WD Towers purchases passes for all residents for Brown Route.
Aug-95 Orange   Orange timetable separated from other timetables.
Aug-95 Orange WD Orange Route expanded to 5 minute rush/midday, 10 minute rest.
Aug-95 Yellow WD Midday trips reduced to 1 per hour.
Aug-95 Yellow WD Re-routed to Buckeye after 9:00am
Aug-95 Yellow Su SundayBlue extended to S. 16th from 11:00am to 6:00pm
Aug-95 Yellow WD Route in Kate Mitchell area reversed direction
Aug-95 Orange WD Night Orange to ISC only (20 minute headway).
Aug-95 Pass   Full Fare semester pass established.
Aug-95 Pass   Student and Full Fare Winter passes established.
Jan-96 MLX   MLX service area reduced.
May-96 RGB WD 6:50am & 7:10am trips combined to a 7:00am trip.
Jun-96 Shuttle   Odyssey of the Mind here -- 77,518 passengers.
Aug-96 Brown WD Service to Greenhills Drive limited to 5 trips per day.
Aug-96 Brown WD Midday Brown extra bus started by Towers (10:40am to 1:00pm)
Aug-96 Orange Sa Saturday Orange eliminated.
Aug-96 Yellow Sa Saturday Yellow eliminated
Sep-96 Orange WD 7:15am trip added from ISC.
Nov-96 DAR   $3.00 fare for service >3/4 mile from a fixed route initiated.
Nov-96 DAR   $3.00 fare for elderly started.
Nov-96 DAR   $5.00 fee for "No Shows" initiated.
Apr-97 VEISHEA   GSB to fund west Ames VEISHEA shuttle.
May-97 CyRide   APTA Neil E. Goldschmidt Award for outstanding performance & safety.
May-97 Green WE Added Green night service on Saturday and Sunday. (Summer)
May-97 RGB WD Third daytime sequence made wheelchair accessible
May-97 RGB WD Changed night running time to 90 minute round trip.
Aug-97 Fares   School Year Pass started for Students and Full Fare
Aug-97 Fares   Winter pass extended to November.
Aug-97 Blue Sa 20 minute Blue Saturday afternoon.
Aug-97 Gray WD Gray Route started from Mall-Bloomington-Eisenhower-Stange-Campus.
Aug-97 Purple WD Route to use Welch-Union-Wallace-Osborn-Bissell-Union through campus.
Aug-97 Purple WD Route changed to operate from Todd/Thackeray to campus.
Aug-97 Red All Red to detour to Todd/Thackeray on request when 90 minute round trip.
Aug-97 Red All West endpoint moved to Mortensen/Pinon.
Aug-97 RG BBall Red to run extra bus after home basketball games. L.Way-Ontario-Schilletter.
Aug-97 RGB WD Time shortened to 5 minutes between State Gym & Bessey Eastbound.
Nov-97 Airport   Airport shuttle to DSM started (Fare $10 students, $15 non-students)
Jan-98 MLX   MLX service area increased to entire city
May-98 DAR   Elderly reduced fare eliminated
May-98 Orange Sat Saturday Orange route resumed
May-98 Yellow Sat Saturday Yellow route resumed
Aug-98 MLX   MLX  funded by all three funding bodies
Jan-99 MLX   Second shuttle bus added (campustown to downtown)
May-99 Gray WD Second Gray Route bus added in rush hours
May-99 Gray WD Gray Route expanded to operate all day
Aug-99 Airport   Airport shuttle fares changed to $12 for everyone
Aug-99 RG BBall Extra Red bus after basketball games ended
Aug-99 Yellow Fri, Sat Yellow operates on Friday and Saturday nights
Sep-99   FBall Football shuttles from Friley/Towers to stadium started
May-01 Yellow Sat Saturday night Yellow ended
Aug-01 Brown WD Brown route fare free Wilson Hall to Wilson Hall
Aug-01 Orange All Orange route extended to S. Duff/S. 16th (8 trips per day)
Aug-01 Orange All Orange route fare free Vet Med to Vet Med
Aug-01 Purple WD Service to Mortensen/Miller via Purple route started
Aug-01 Silver Fri, Sat Fiday/Saturday NIght Shuttle started (ISU to S. 16th/S. Duff)
Aug-01 Yellow Fri Friday night Yellow ended
Sep-01   FBall Football shuttles from Friley/Towers to stadium ended
Oct-01 Gold WD Gold route started (fare free)
Aug-02 Brown/Gray WD Brown and Gray route combined. Service 20 minute rush, 30 minute midday
Aug-02 Cardinal WD Cardinal route started from Towers to Frederiksen Ct. 8 minute rush, 16 midday
Aug-02 CyRide All Entire system free to ISU students with ID card
Aug-02 CyRide WD Campus Circulator routes started (21 Cardinal, 22 Gold, 23 Orange, 24 Silver)
Aug-02 CyRide All ISU campus stops free for all passengers on all routes
Aug-02 Orange WD Orange route to 7 minute headway all day
Aug-02 Silver Fri, Sat Night Shuttle route renamed Silver
Aug-02 Brown/Gray WD Brown and Gray route combined. Service 20 minute rush, 30 minute midday
Aug-02 Cardinal WD Cardinal route started from Towers to Frederiksen Ct.
8 minute rush, 16 midday
Aug-02 CyRide All Entire system free to ISU students with ID card
Aug-02 CyRide WD Campus Circulator routes started (21 Cardinal, 22 Gold, 23 Orange, 24 Silver)
Aug-02 CyRide All ISU campus stops free for all passengers on all routes
Aug-02 Orange WD Orange route to 7 minute headway all day
Aug-02 Silver Fri, Sat Night Shuttle route renamed Silver route
Oct-02 Blue Sat Extra Blue route buses added Saturday evenings
Oct-02 Red, Blue Sun Extra Red route and Blue route buses added Sunday evenings
Oct-02 Red WD Red route to 10 minute headway all day between ISU and Mortensen
Dec-02 Airport   Airport shuttle runs everyday from 12/19 to 1/12
Jan-03 Blue WD Blue route express routes started between S. 5th & ISU during rush hours
Feb-03 Green WD 5:51pm Green West from Kildee started
Aug-03 Airport   Fares to $10 for all passengers (including ISU students)
Aug-03 Blue WD Blue South 10 minute headway to campus 7:17am to 9:31 am
Aug-03 Orange WD Orange route to 5 minute headway all day
Aug-03 Orange Sat Saturday Orange ended
Aug-03 Red, Purple WD AM eastbound trips to use Dickenson/Steinbeck from start to 9:50am
Aug-03   All All trips except Orange shuttles and some Cardinal trips wheelchair accessible
Dec-03 Airport   Airport shuttle ended 12/23 to 1/7 due to low ridership
Mar-04 Fares   Fares increased ($1.00 Regular, $0.50 Reduced)
May-04 Yellow WD, Sat Most midday trips cut
May-04 Purple   Purple to use Dickenson/Steinbeck all day both directions
Jul-04 Red   End point moved to the new middle school
Aug-04 Silver Sun Silver route ended on Friday/Saturday nights. Silver runs Sunday evening from stadium lots to residence associations
Aug-04 Cardinal   Cardinal runs between Frederiksen Ct. and campus only
May-05 Purple   Purple route cut back to rush hours only
May-05 Silver   Silver route from the stadium ends
May-05 Red   Red route to use Steinbeck/Dickensen both directions all days
May-05 Red   Detour on request to ToddThackeray and Mortensen/Miller ends
May-05 Blue   Blue route changed from Welch/Storm to Lincoln Way/Beach
May-05 Blue WD 10 minute headway between ISU and Schilletter cut to rush hours only
May-05 Gold WD Evening Gold route service ends
May-05 Yellow   Yellow route to use Opal/Crystal northbound
May-06  Red   Red route moved off of Lincoln Swing to Lincoln Way
Jul-06     Bob Bourne retires as Director and Sheri Kyras is hired as the new Director

Aug-06

All   Electronic destination signs put in service. All routes called by number/color: #1 Red, #2 Green, #3 Blue, #4 Gray, #5 Yellow, #6 Brown, #7 Purple, #21 Cardinal, #22 Gold, #23 Orange
Aug-06 #4 Gray WD #4 Gray route extended to SE 16th/S. Dayton.
Nov-06 #6A Brown   #6A Towers/Campus shuttle started to operate between the Towers and ISU weekday afternoons and evenings, and assorted times on Saturdays and Sundays
May-07 #6 Brown WD #6 Brown Extra summer trips added in the morning and afternoon rush hours to create 20 minute headway.
May-08     CyRide's Silver LEED Administrative Building construction is complete.
Aug-08 #24 Silver Sun Silver route from Jack Trice Stadium lots to the residence halls begins again
Aug-08 #2 Green Sun Extra trips added Sunday mornings to match #1 Red and #3 Blue start times
May-09 All   All fixed routes and Dial A Ride Fare Free for everyone for summer schedule from May 15 to August 15.
Ridership increased 27% over 2008.
FY2009 All   All time record ridership of 5,002,146 from 7/1/08 to 6/30/09
Aug-09

#1 Red/

#3 Blue

WD #1 Red and #3 Blue routes operate at 15 minute headways from 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Aug-10          Cybrid fleet of 12 hybrids begins operating throughout Ames
May-10      #8 Aqua     New  #8 Aqua service begins operating to Furman Aquatic Center seven days a week from May 29, 2010 to August 18, 2010
Aug-10  #10 Pink

 WD

 New #10 Pink service route to E. 13th/Dayton operates three morning and three afternoon trips
 Jan-12  ALL Fares
 Fares increased to $0.60 reduced fare; $1.25 full fare. 
Created half fare monthly pass.
Added Medicaid to half fare eligibility
 Aug-14
 #2 Green
WD  Extra bus added to give more time Eastbound in the afternoon.
 Aug-14
 #4B  WD  #4B Added on S. 16th between #4 and #4A Gray trips for more service on S. 16th.  Copper Beech management to pay for three years of service.
 Aug-15
 #9 Plum
 WD  #9 Plum route was added to replace the #4B Gray route.  The route was redesigned to run from Buckeye Rd. to Campus bypassing the ISC Hub.
 Aug-16  #4 Gray  WD Extra two night trips added to accommodate travel to DMACC.
 Aug-16  ALL   Referral Bonus increased from $50 to $500 for Drivers
Hiring bonus of $250 instituted for drivers. 
Eliminating driver training wage; everyone beings at A Step
Added additional Trainer
 Aug-17  #6A Brown  WD Extra two night trips added to #6A Brown Monday - Thursday.
       
 May-18  CyRide 2.0   CyRide 2.0 Implemented - Fare Decreased, route changes in two phases over summer/fall,  new bus stop identification numbers and new policy changes (runner policy, transfer policy and bus stop arrival policies) implemented.
 May-18  EASE  WD

Added East Ames Service Extension (EASE) to replace #4 Gray and #10 Pink during the weekdays from 7:00am to 7:00pm.  

 May-18  #4 Gray  WD  Eliminated route
 May-18  #10 Pink  WD  Eliminated route
 May-18  ALL  Fares Fares decreased to $.50 reduced fare; $1.00 full fare
Passes decreased back down to 2012 levels; retained half-fare monthly pass and Medicaid to half-fare eligibility
 May-18  #5 Yellow  WD Added additional trips to create 30-minute frequency between City Hall and S. Duff/Crystal.  Removed circulation of route to Kate Mitchell and neighborhood.
 May-18  #9 Plum  WD  Plum began operating 40-minute service in Summers
 Aug-18  #1 Red  WD Frequency increase to 15-minutes along entire #1 Red route.  Alignment change to operate Red from Mortensen to S. Dakota to eliminate turn northbound from Steinbeck to S. Dakota.

 Aug-18

 #2 Green  WD  Modified route to only travel to Ames High School a few trips in morning and afternoon causing route to continuously run late on 20-minute schedule.
 Aug-18  #3 Blue  WD Increased frequency along #3 Blue (south portion) route to 10-minutes.  Extended route to Target/Wal-Mart on S. Duff.  Operated route through campus
 Aug-18  #6 Brown  WD Extended hours of #6 Brown to 9:00 pm providing night access to ISU Research Park.  Alignment change on Welch to operate via Knapp-Lynn-Morrill-Union into campus providing access to Greek neighborhoods.  Frequency changed to 30-minute service.
 Aug-18  #6 Brown  Sat Deviated #6 Brown southbound through Schilletter Village and University Village to ISU campus. Extended hours of #6 Brown from 8:00am till 8:00pm
 Aug-18  #6 Brown  Sun Route ends at Towers (as opposed to extending to ISU Research Park) on south end of route.  Service operates from 8:30am - 8:00pm.  Brown deviates southbound only through Schilletter Village and University Village heading towards ISU campus.
 Aug-18  #7 Purple  WD Added trips and frequency to #7 Purple from Alcott/Todd area of W. Ames.  Route ends on west end of campus.
 Aug-18  #9 Plum  WD  Plum will now operate 40-minute service when ISU is on break.
 Aug-18  #11 Cherry  WD Rebranded #1A Red to #11 Cherry; increased frequency to 7 minutes as opposed to 10-minutes under #1A Red.  Reconfigured alignment to begin at W. Mortensen turn around.  Route ends on west end of campus.
 Aug-18  #12 Lilac  WD New route operating 20 minute service during peak hours between Steinbeck/Dickinsen and Student Services.  Route ends on west end of campus.
 Aug-18  #14 Peach  WD  New route operating hourly service between North Grand Mall - Campus - Iowa State Center - Veterinary Medicine College.  This route replaces #3 Blue North and Vet Med trips previously linked to #23 Orange.
 Aug - 18  #22 Gold  WD  Eliminated route.  Replaced with #6 Brown deviation to Knapp/Lynn.
 Aug.18  #23 Orange  WD Increased frequency to leave Iowa State Center every 4-minutes.  Removed Vet Med from route as will operate articulated buses only once procured and articulated buses cannot turn through parking lot of Veterinary medicine.
 Aug-18  #24 Silver  Sun  Eliminated route due to low ridership.
 Aug-18  #25 Gold  WD  New route between Towers - Campus - Schilletter Village/University Village operating 10 minute service.  This replaces "extra" trips along #6 Brown and #3 Blue North.
 Aug-18  Bus Stops  ALL New bus stop identification numbers implemented to coincide with CyRide 2.0 changes.  The ID numbers changed as well as the visual "look" of the bus stop (eliminated the 2nd Nextbus sign) and incorporated the QR code and stop ID into the CyRide's Cy bus stop sign.