Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones today (Wednesday), issued a proclamation pertaining to public transit. The proclamation says “Whereas Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) is the public transportation system for Atlantic, and the surrounding region; and Whereas, SWITA provides rides to school, work, shopping, and medical appointments for the citizens of Atlantic; and Whereas, SWITA provided over 40,000 rides last year to the citizens of Atlantic; and Whereas, SWITA employs 26 staff members and drivers in the Atlantic community providing; and Whereas, National Ride Transit Week is June 15th to June 21st, 2014; Therefore, be it resolved that I, Dave Jones, Mayor of the City of Atlantic, do hereby proclaim June 16th through the 20th, 2014 as RIDE SWITA TRANSIT WEEK.”

One of the various forms of SWITA transportation available to area residents.

Officials with SWITA will be celebrating national Ride Transit Week June 15th through the 21st, with multiple activities planned throughout the week. SWITA will kick off the week by participating in an escort convoy of Cass County veterans going on an honor flight to Washington D.C. SWITA will also provide free transportation to area rest home residents to view the convoy and participate in the “flag waving” along the travel route.

Also, SWITA will provide free rides for taxi customers in the cities where SWITA operates the taxi service. SWITA Executive Director John McCurdy says “Free Taxi Ride Day is one of the best ways we could think of to celebrate Transit Week.. It gives SWITA the opportunity to give back to the customers who rely on our taxi services and encourages new customers to try it out.”

In addition to Atlantic, mayors in the cities of Clarinda, Glenwood, Harlan, Missouri Valley, Red Oak, and Shenandoah have been asked to sign proclamations declaring June 16-20 Ride SWITA Transit Week. SWITA will also give a few lucky riders Ride Transit and SWITA materials through the week.
Southwest Iowa Transit Agency is one of 16 regional public transit agencies in Iowa and serves Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby counties in southwest Iowa. In 2013 SWITA provided over 400,000 rides and travelled over 1.6 million miles. This service is essential for giving SWITA clients personal mobility and freedom and gives options to commute to work, go to school, medical appointments, or shopping trips.

For more information, or to schedule a ride on SWITA, please call 800-842-8065 or visit www.swipco.org.