Community Notes: Seven years of running CC Public Transit

By Tammy Elthon, Daily Operations Manager, Charles City Public Transit

We will complete seven years of running the daily operations of the Charles City Public Transit on Aug. 1 of this year. We have seen some changes and learned a lot about transit buses during the past seven years.

Charles City Public Transit continues to increase riders. Our passenger list is well over 2,000.

We encourage people to call in advance of all appointments so we can get them scheduled and on time for their appointment. It’s never too early to schedule.

Unfortunately, calling the day of an appointment sometimes results in us being unable to provide the person with a ride at the time they request due to the appointment time already being filled on all three city buses.

We have been providing rides for 60 students again this year, and we have been building out the schedules for children who will be riding with us this fall.

As of this time, we are full for the fall school year 2025/26. We have started a waiting list of students.

I would recommend families find an alternative ride for their children if on our waiting list, since we are unable to move very many children off the waiting list.

The County/Regional Bus has gotten increasingly busier every year. We go to Mason City three times a day and into several towns in Floyd County with riders. That bus leaves dispatch in Charles City at 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and the final run over 1:30 p.m.

Due to the requirement to go into other towns on the way to Mason City, this bus fills up many days a week. Rides are also booked a day in advance for the County/Regional bus.

We have now used the technology of electronic tablets on each bus for a little over a year, and new software at dispatch. This has allowed dispatch to see where the buses are at all times with GPS and statistics of each bus, making it safer for our drivers and passengers.

We now feel more comfortable with the system after a year of using it on all buses.

We have drivers who do their very best to help make your experience riding with us as pleasant as possible. They are out working and using the bus lifts to get people on and off in all types of weather, 12 months a year.

Thank a driver if you see them out and about – they do work hard for the community.

For questions or to book a ride call 641-715-1314 Monday through Friday to reach the Charles City Public Transit. It’s been rewarding for us to help with this service each year providing transportation in the area.