Our fares depend on the type of service you use:

Dial-a-Ride (Story County only) trips are $2.00 each way, 2 Yellow Cy-Ride tickets, or 4 Green Cy-Ride tickets each way. For trips that go east of the Skunk River the cost is $5.00 each way. 

Heartland public ride trips are $5.50 each way for all of Story/Jasper County. 
We also have a reduced rate for passengers with fixed incomes.  If you are approved for the reduced fare status, the trip cost will be between $1.15 and $5.50, depending upon the passenger’s monthly income and household size.  Click here for a printable Reduced Fare Application form.

Senior Rides, independently living seniors 60 years and older who are living independently can qualify for transportation at the rate of $1 suggested donation with completion of a NAPIS form.   Click here for a printable NAPIS form.

Hourly public rides are $35.00 per hour in Story County and trips to Des Moines airport are $45.00 per hour.  In Jasper County, hourly public rides are $50.00 per hour.

Trips between Ames City Hall and University of  Iowa Hospitals and Dental Clinic in Iowa City are $10 per person round trip.

Payment is due at the time of service; drivers do not make change.  We accept checks made out to Heartland Senior Services.

In all cases, a personal attendant may ride with each passenger at no charge.
Companions must pay the same fare as the passenger.  Children accompanying a passenger pay $1.50 each.

If you have any questions about our fares, please call us at (515) 233-2906 in Story County and (641)787-0366 in Jasper County.

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How to arrange a ride with us

To arrange transportation, call our office in Ames (515) 233-2906 ext 228 or Newton (641) 787-0366 at least 24 hours in advance of when you need our service.  Let us know the following:

1. The address of your pickup location.
2. What time you want to go.
3. Destination address.
4. What your assistance needs are.
5. When you would like a return ride.

Rides may be scheduled two weeks in advance.

Ride cancellations should be called into our offices at least 2 hours in advance of your pickup time.

If you do not cancel your ride and you do not show up for your ride you will receive a No-Show.  Please read the No-Show policy for more information.

 

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Rides to/from University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

• Departure:  7:00 a.m., promptly, each Tuesday and Wednesday, from Ames City Hall (south side)
• Arrival:  9:00 a.m. at Dental Clinic; 9:30 a.m. at UIHC
• Return:  3:00 p.m., promptly, boarding at 2:45 p.m.
• Cost:  $10 per person round trip (one attendant free)
• Reservations:  Required 24 hours in advance
• Riders:  General public (wheelchair accessible)

 

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Service Hours for Story County

 

Trips within Ames can be made:
Monday through Friday:  6:00 a.m. to Midnight
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Midnight
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to Midnight
During the summer we provide service until 10:00 p.m.

 

Trips outside of Ames can be made:
Monday-Friday:  7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

Extended Hours when Iowa State University is in Session

 

Hourly rides are available upon request and availability of a driver.

 

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Service Hours for Jasper County

Trips outside of Newton can be made:
Monday through Friday:  7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

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Office Hours for Story County

 

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Office Hours for Jasper County

 

In Jasper County, our Transit Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
During this time you can arrange or cancel a ride. 
After 5:00 p.m. messages can be left on the voicemail. 
Messages will be checked on the next office hours day.  All rides must be scheduled during office hours.

 

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Holiday Services

We provide only limited services on the following days:
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, the Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.

 

We are closed on New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

 

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Bus Rules

 

• No eating or drinking on the bus
• No smoking
• Stay seated while bus is moving
• Wear your seatbelt
• Do not disrupt other passengers
• Be courteous to other passengers
• Follow the driver’s instructions
• Do not operate bus equipment

 

Passengers who do not follow the rules or pose a threat to themselves, other passengers or the driver will be denied service. The transportation director will decide on the length of the service suspension and conditions for reinstatement of rides.

 

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No-Show Policy

Individuals that no-show for three (3) or more trips in any calendar month will be charged for all no-shows accumulated during said month.  The cost of a no-show will be $15.00, which is the full cost of the trip.  Individuals who are not private pay will be billed on a personal account for their no-shows.  Any person accumulating more than $45.00 on their account will be denied service until the balance is paid in full.

 

In order to avoid being charged for no-shows, the trip must be cancelled at least two (2) hours prior to the scheduled pick-up time.  Trips canceled more than 2 hours prior to pick-up will not be charged as no-shows.

The passenger or representative for the passenger may file a grievance with the transportation director if they feel the no-show was caused by extenuating circumstances.  These grievances will be addressed by the transportation director on a case-by-case basis and the decision of the transportation director will be final.  Click here for a printable No-Show Grievance form.

 

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Standing Order / Permanent Ride Requests

 

Standing orders are trips that occur at the same time each day of the week.  They must be trips that you will need to take on a weekly basis.  An example would be going to physical therapy each Tuesday morning.

Heartland Senior Services standing rides require a Standing Order request form to be filled out.  Click here for a printable form.   Standing orders will be processed within one week of their receipt.  A dispatcher will call you with the times that were scheduled for your standing order.

Dial-A-Ride standing orders will be processed the same day they come in.  A dispatcher will take all your information.  They will then process the information and call you back with your scheduled times.

Standing Orders will remain in place as long as the Passenger uses them.  Standing orders will be cancelled by Heartland Senior Services Transportation in the following circumstances:

1. The standing order has a change in time more than three (3) times a month.
   
2. The standing order has a change in pick-up or drop-off location more than three (3) times monthly.
   
3. The standing order is cancelled more than three (3) times monthly or three (3) times consecutively.
4. The passenger no-shows more than three (3) times monthly or three (3) times consecutively.

 

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Service Compliments and Complaints

Your comments are valuable to us.  If you have any comments, positive or negative, please call us at (515) 233-2906.  Service compliments and complaints should be directed to the Transportation Director .  They must include the following:

 

1. Date of incident
2. Time of incident
3. Vehicle number
4. Compliment or Complaint
5. Resolution if complaint

 

Compliments will be given to the drivers; you will remain anonymous unless you would like to be named.

 

All complaints will be investigated by the Transportation Director.  If you do not receive an appropriate resolution to your complaint, a written grievance may be filed.  Click here for a printable Compliment/Complaint form.

 

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