Coralville, IA – Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA), operated by Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) has once again been named the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Regional Transit System of the Year. The award was announced during the Iowa Public Transit Association Annual Awards at the Hyatt Regency in Coralville on Thursday, July 17^th. This is a 3-peat for SWITA winning this award, the first time an agency has been so honored.

The Iowa DOT Award is based on several factors meant to represent ridership and efficiency. SWITA has earned this award again due to strong ridership numbers while being the most cost-efficient system in the state.

SWITA Transit Director Mark Lander said, “This award represents all the hard work that our dedicated team puts in each day to ger the people of Southwest Iowa where they need to go. This takes everyone from the staff, the drivers, the shop, the board, and other supporters. We are honored to stand out amongst such remarkable peers.”

Iowa DOT Regional Transit System of the Year 2025 (L-R): Iowa DOT Public Transit Director Kristin Haar, SWITA Transit Director Mark Lander, SWITA Transit Coordinator Kristen Templeton, Iowa DOT Transit Programs Administrator Laura Lutz-Zimmerman, Iowa Transit Programs Administrator Matt Oetker, Iowa DOT Administrative Support Amy Colwell, Iowa DOT Compliance and Training Specialist Jamie Wingert

SWITA transportation is accessible to everyone in the eight-county region, including the disabled and elderly. SWITA offers several transportation options including work routes, medical trips, student transportation, taxi service in six communities, and special trips. SWITA vehicles are equipped with wheelchair accessibility and one personal attendant rides free.

SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy said, “Iowa is a model across the nation for rural public transportation. Not every state has public transit in every county like Iowa does, so to be recognized as Iowa public rural transit system of the year is amazing. SWITA is always pushing hard to provide the best service to the most people, and everyone in the region benefits from that.”

SWITA Driver of the Year Mike Ames was also honored at the IPTA Driver Awards Dinner on Friday, July 18^th at Walker Homestead Farm and Winery in Iowa City. Mike was able to attend a dinner with other top drivers from across the state and be recognized for his great work by his peers.

Mike Ames – Driver of the Year 2025 (L-R): SWITA Transit Director Mark Lander, SWITA Driver of the Year Mike Ames