Oskaloosa Rides Hits the Streets on Monday

Oskaloosa Rides begins service on Monday, June 23rd.

Need to get somewhere in Oskaloosa but don’t have a car? Starting Monday, you’ll have a new option. Oskaloosa Rides begins service on a one-hour fixed bus route, taking passengers to places like Mahaska Health Partnership, Walmart and the downtown square. The bus will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9AM to 5:30PM.

The service comes as a community response to a need in Oskaloosa. The bus is intended to help people without transportation options get to local retail, health care and other community services.

“If you don’t have a car, you’re less likely to seek preventative health care,” says Amy Langdon, executive director of United Way of Mahaska County and an Oskaloosa Rides organizer. “So a small problem could turn into a big problem because you’re not able to go to the doctor. Or you may pick up some groceries at a nearby gas station, rather than going farther to a grocery store, with more healthy food options and often at lower prices. Having transportation available can help solve a lot of those problems.”

A one-way ticket costs $1.00 but students 18 and under rides free. Monthly passes are also available for $15/month or at a reduced rate of $10 for senior citizens, college students or people with disabilities. Tickets and passes are available at United Way of Mahaska County, Hy-Vee, Fareway and Walmart.

The bus will be operated by 10-15 Transit, Mahaska County’s regional transit agency.

The bus will be handicap accessible. In addition, passengers unable to make it to a bus stop due to a disability are able to use a paratransit service to pick them up at their home.

Oskaloosa Rides was made possible by the generous support of Clow Valve, Mahaska Health Partnership, Mahaska County Community Foundation, Musco, MidWestOne Bank, Oskaloosa Food, Hy-Vee and TruBank.

Oskaloosa Rides Stop Schedule (click for larger version)

Oskaloosa Rides Route Map (click for larger version)