Officials with the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) said Friday (today) that Taxi rates will decrease effective July 1st, 2018 through June 30th, 2019.  SWITA taxi service is available in Atlantic, Glenwood, Harlan, Red Oak, Missouri Valley, and Shenandoah. The new rates will be $2 per ride for seniors (60+), and $2.50 per ride for general public.

Additional companion rider rates will remain $1.00.  Previous rates were $3.00 for elderly and $4.25 for general public.  In order to receive the senior rate, individuals must complete paperwork for the Connections Area Agency on Aging, who generously help support the taxi program for seniors.  The Connection forms are available from the taxi driver, except in Atlantic where they are available at the SWITA office.

SWITA’s mission is to break down barriers caused by a lack of transportation options or access to transportation.  The SWITA taxi is a vital piece of that mission, especially for members of the community without access to a car.  Decreasing the cost of a taxi ride is one way that SWITA seeks to promote the use of the taxi and make it accessible to all, and to help southwest Iowa communities grow and thrive.

Mark Lander, SWITA Transit Director said “We have many individuals that utilize the taxi service on a daily basis and love it.  But many others don’t realize that it is available for anyone to ride, or the cost was a barrier.  Reducing the rate was the most obvious and immediate way we could see to make the service more visible and useful to our area residents, and we hope people take advantage of this great value.”

SWITA is the public transportation agency for the eight counties of southwest Iowa; Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby operated by Southwest Iowa Planning Council.  For more information on SWITA please visit the website at www.swipco.org or call the office at 800-842-8065.  SWITA/SWIPCO is an equal opportunity employer, lender, and provider.