County buses add computers, credit card payments

MARENGO — A software upgrade has given Iowa County Transportation tools to make the service more efficient.

The upgrade put tablets in all the buses in January.

“Prior to that, it was all pen and paper,” said Iowa County Transportation Director Becky Fry. Drivers recorded information by hand and it was entered into the computer later at the office.

Now the drivers enter the information directly onto the computer from the buses.

“We go in and verify it,” said Fry, but data entry in the office is no longer required.

The new software includes mapping and messaging. The office knows where drivers are at all times and can send messages about changes to the route or schedule.

The drivers love it, said Fry.

“We get updates in real time,” said driver Dan Phelps. “If we’re late, they can tell people we’re on our way.”

The software also maintains records of gas usage and pre-trip inspection.

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Funding for the software “all came to us through ECICOG,” said Fry. It didn’t cost the county anything.

East Central Iowa Council of Governments, which consists of Jones, Linn, Benton, Iowa, Washington and Johnson Counties, researched software when it decided to upgrade.

“TripMaster came here and did a demonstration,” said Fry, and five of the six ECICOG counties switched to that company. Only Johnson County, which has a larger population and more moving pieces, stayed with Routematch.

“This system, we felt fit our needs the best,” said Fry. And because four other counties use the same software, they can share information if they have questions about it.

It also keeps data consistent between the counties. “We’re all sending the same stats to ECICOG,” said Fry.

Iowa County had been using the same software for about 20 years, said Fry. “Now was just the right time [to upgrade],” Fry said. Routematch had increased its rates “astronomically, which I did not have budgeted.”

Most of the drivers at Iowa County Transportation are retired, said Fry, and didn’t grow up in the computer age. But they’ve learned to use the tablets.

“Everyone has done really, really well with it,” Fry said.

Iowa County Transportation is public transportation to anyone who is a resident of Iowa County. State and federal funds for the service are distributed through East Central Iowa Council of Governments. Iowa County also provides funding.

East Central Iowa Council of Governments manages the replacement of vehicles. Jones Auto in Williamsburg maintains the buses, and does an excellent job, said Fry.

“The main group we support is REA,” said Fry. Rural Employment Alternative in Conroy is a day program for adults with special needs. Iowa County Transportation picks up people from all over Iowa County and from Iowa City to go to REA.

“We have a very special relationship with REA,” said Fry.

On Wednesday, REA clients were headed for the library in Marengo, the library in Victor and a Cedar Rapids Kernals baseball game.

“We have six buses and four min-vans,” said Fry. “In the morning, everybody’s usually gone by 7:30.”

Iowa County Transportation takes people to doctor’s appointments, beauty shops and grocery stores. Some people are elderly and don’t drive. Others don’t have vehicles.

“If they have the funds to pay for the ride, we’ll take them where they want to go.”

Insurance will pay for some trips, Fry said. People should check their policies for more information.

Iowa County Transportation is an alternative to a school bus for some preschool students. Marengo has one preschool and Williamsburg has three that the bus service supports, said Fry.

Sometimes the bus stop is not in a good location for the parents, said Fry. “We pick up at the house, and that’s based on availability.”

Iowa County Transportation has 16 employees, including Fry, and they all drive. “We offer a very flexible schedule for drivers,” said Fry.

Some drivers work for the school during the school year and for Iowa County Transportation in the summer. Some drivers work for Iowa County Transportation during the school year and want summers off.

“We try to be very flexible with our scheduling,” said Fry. “We’re a small group, so we’re pretty close.”

“We’re not a free service,” said Fry. “Everybody pays.”

Paying for the service is easier now that the Iowa County Transportation accepts credit cards, said Fry. The cost used to be invoice, but in September, Iowa County Transportation started accepting credit cards.

It’s been a godsend, said Fry. “It’s working out really, really well.”

Card payments can be taken over the phone or in the office, but bus drivers do not take payment. The credit card fees are paid by the customer and are not charged to the county.

People should call early to request a ride from Iowa County Transportation, said Fry. “The more notice we have, the better, because we do fill up. We are busy.”

Residents who need a ride from Iowa County Transportation or who have questions about the service should call 319-642-7615.