380 Express

What 380 Express does

380 Express is a public commuter bus service operating fixed-route service along the Interstate 380 corridor in eastern Iowa. The service connects Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty via two routes: the original Corridor Loop and the newly launched Campus Connect route (effective June 1, 2026). It is managed by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) with bus operations contracted to Windstar Lines, Inc. The service carries approximately 500 riders per day across fares ranging from $2.00 (senior/disabled/Medicare) to $4.00 (general public) for one-way trips, with 10-ride passes at $37 and monthly unlimited passes at $144. Distribution is anchored by the Token Transit mobile app for advance ticketing, on-board cash payments for single rides, and institutional pass channels through the University of Iowa Parking and Transportation office and Kirkwood Community College.

The technical foundation is conventional for a small-scale municipal transit service: digital ticketing via Token Transit barcodes (with a 30-minute activation window), real-time bus tracking through Transit App and Google Maps/Transit integration, and a website-hosted Real Time Express Locator. Onboard amenities include WiFi, 110V outlets, USB ports, restroom, and wheelchair accessibility — exceeding basic public transit standards. Intermodal connections to Cedar Rapids Transit, Iowa City Transit, Cambus, and Coralville Transit allow transfers to local services at designated hubs such as the Ground Transportation Center and Court Street Transportation Center.

380 Express is a government-administered transit program, not a venture-backed private company. Revenue is generated exclusively through farebox sales with no disclosed funding rounds, ownership changes, or executive team data. Growth is geographically constrained to the Iowa City–Cedar Rapids metropolitan corridor, and expansion is publicly funded through ECICOG rather than capital markets. No AI/ML capabilities, patents, or proprietary technology beyond third-party app integrations are present in the operational footprint.

Name

380 Express

Legal name

380 Express

Website

https://380express.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

380 Express is a public commuter bus service managed by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments and operated by Windstar Lines, connecting Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty via two fixed routes serving approximately 500 daily riders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commuter Bus Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (485)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Park-and-Ride / Express Commuter Bus Operators (TLAFAGAF)

Keywords

• Commuter bus service
• Public transit
• Regional bus routes
• Mobile bus ticketing
• Intercity transit

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. One-way Fares: Single trip tickets sold at $4.00 for general public and $2.00 for senior/disabled passengers. Revenue from individual ride purchases.
2. 10-Ride Passes: Multi-ride passes for frequent commuters at $37.00 (general) or $18.50 (senior/disabled), offering a discounted rate compared to single rides.
3. Monthly Unlimited Passes: Unlimited monthly rides at $144.00 (general) or $72.00 (senior/disabled), targeting regular commuters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

380 Express operates scheduled commuter bus routes connecting Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty in Iowa. The service runs two routes (Corridor Loop and Campus Connect) with onboard amenities including WiFi, power outlets, USB ports, restrooms, and wheelchair accessibility, with tickets sold through the Token Transit mobile app or cash on board.

Product overview

380 Express is a public commuter bus service operated by Windstar Lines under contract with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG). The service operates two distinct routes: the Corridor Loop (the original main route connecting Cedar Rapids, Coralville, and Iowa City) and the new Campus Connect route (launching June 2026, extending service to North Liberty). Ticket products include single one-way fares, 10-Ride passes, and Monthly-Unlimited passes, all available through the Token Transit mobile app or cash payment to drivers. The service is positioned as a cost-saving alternative to driving, serving approximately 500 daily riders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Corridor Loop: The original route connecting Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College, UIHC, Iowa City Court Street, and Coralville Intermodal.
• Campus Connect

Products and services

• Corridor Loop Route
• Campus Connect Route
• One-way Tickets
• 10-Ride Pass
• Monthly Unlimited Pass
• Real Time Express Locator

Quantifiable outcome

• Saves passengers at least $11 per trip compared to driving (fuel and parking)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018ECICOG manages the 380 Express service and is the governing body responsible for the transit program. ECICOG contracts with Windstar Lines to operate the bus service.
• Windstar Lines, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Windstar Lines is the contracted bus operator for all 380 Express routes. They provide the buses, drivers, and operational services. Windstar Lines operates from their Cedar Rapids facility at 9220 Wright Brothers Court SW.
• Token TransitcoreTechnology or IntegrationToken Transit provides the mobile ticketing platform allowing passengers to purchase and activate digital tickets through their smartphone app. Tickets are available for scanning on the bus with a digital barcode.
• University of Iowa Parking and TransportationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe University of Iowa provides discounted 380 Express passes for eligible staff and students, enabling affordable commuting options for the university community.
• Kirkwood Community CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKirkwood provides passes for students and maintains free park and ride lots adjacent to bus stops. The Campus Connect route serves the Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa in Coralville.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Greyhound Lines: Greyhound is the largest intercity bus operator in North America, with extensive Iowa and Midwest coverage including Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Comparable as a broader-scale intercity bus incumbent serving the same Cedar Rapids–Iowa City pair with overlapping but less frequent commuter-oriented service.
• GO Transit (Metrolinx): GO Transit operates regional commuter bus and rail service in the Greater Toronto Area. Comparable as a public-purpose commuter bus network with park-and-ride stations, fares, and corridor-based scheduling sponsored by a regional government authority.

Direct peers

• Suburban Transit (Coach USA / NJT): Suburban Transit and other Coach USA commuter bus brands operate fixed-route commuter service under contracted or quasi-public arrangements in U.S. metropolitan corridors. Comparable as commuter-focused motorcoach service with multi-ride and monthly pass products on a fixed schedule.
• Peter Pan Bus Lines: Peter Pan Bus Lines operates intercity and regional bus service in the Northeast and Midwest. Comparable as a regional motorcoach operator offering scheduled corridor service with similar onboard amenities and digital ticketing.
• Jefferson Lines: Jefferson Lines is a regional intercity bus carrier covering the Upper Midwest including multiple Iowa cities. Comparable as a regional scheduled motorcoach service with similar fare, route, and operating model across Iowa and neighboring states.
• Megabus (Coach USA): Megabus is an intercity express bus service operating fixed-stop routes across the Midwest (including Iowa cities such as Iowa City and Cedar Rapids). Comparable to 380 Express as an intercity/regional express bus with mobile ticketing, low fares, and corridor-based scheduling.
• Burlington Trailways: Burlington Trailways operates intercity and regional motorcoach service across the Midwest, including Iowa. Comparable as a regional fixed-route bus operator with similar fare structure, scheduled corridor service, and motorcoach fleet.

Others

• Windstar Lines: Windstar Lines is the contracted motorcoach operator for 380 Express under ECICOG. Comparable as the operating company providing drivers, buses, and day-to-day service; they are the operational counterpart rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/@380express
• YouTube380express.com/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/380Express

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 380 Express