Neighborhood Transportation Service (NTS) a Program of Horizons

We Will Help You Get to Work

What is NTS?

Neighborhood Transportation Service (NTS) is a curb-to-curb van service providing safe and affordable rides to work, school and training when public transportation is not available.

NTS vehicles are also available for group event shuttles.

Download NTS App

Download and use the NTS app to create an account and schedule a ride to work, school or training.

Single ride cost is $6.00.

* The app can be downloaded in over 100 languages to meet the language setting on your phone.

Don’t have a smartphone or tablet?

Locations & Hours of Operation

NTS provides service everywhere within the city limits of Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha. 

NTS vans operate during the night and weekend hours:

Weekdays
2:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Saturdays
5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Sundays
5:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

NTS does not provide service on the following Holidays:
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Request a Group Shuttle

Book a group shuttle for your organization’s next event and help support NTS.

  • Group shuttles available 24/7!
  • Must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance
  • Wheelchair accessible vehicles available.
  • Transportation available outside of Linn County. 
 

Group Shuttle Request Form

Thank you for your interest in a group event shuttle! Every shuttle helps support NTS getting people to work at night when public transportation is not available.

Please tell us as much about the group event as you can at this time and submit your request. We will follow-up with you the first business day after receiving your request.

Event Date(Required)

Ride Requirements

Pick Up Location Address(Required)
Estimated Pick Up Time(Required)
:
Drop Off Location Address(Required)
Estimated Drop Off Time(Required)
:
Formal Events or Theme Available for Additional Charge

Shuttle Request Contact Information:

Name(Required)

Rules of the Road

1) Purchase digital tickets to ride with NTS

The easiest way to purchase a ticket is on the NTS app:

  • Purchase digital tickets (“ride credits”) in quantities of one, two, three, five or 10 rides.
  • Pay with any major credit or debit card.
  • The app will hold the ride credits in your account and deduct from your account each time you take a ride.

If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet

  • Visit the on-line platform or call or visit the NTS office in the Horizons building:
    819 5th St. SE
    Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
    (319) 363-1321
  • Pay in-person at the office with cash, check, money order or any major credit or debit card. (Drivers can not accept payments of any kind.)
  • Office staff are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.


Wherever purchased, the one-ride fare is $6.00.

2) Schedule rides as soon as you know you need them.

  • Rides can be scheduled up to two weeks in advance and at least one hour in advance.
  • The easiest way to schedule a ride is on the NTS app.
  • You may also visit the online platform, or call (319) 363-1321. Office staff are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and call-in rides must be booked at least 12 hours in advance.

3) Cancel rides as soon as you know you don’t need them.

  • The easiest way to cancel a ride is on the NTS app.
  • You may also visit the online platform, or call (319) 363-1321. Office staff are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
  • A cancellation within two hours of your scheduled pick-up counts as a no-show and will be charged to your account at the regular ride rate of $6.
  • If you have more than two no-shows in a month, you may be unable to book future rides.

4) Be ready when the vehicle arrives.

Eating, drinking, smoking, alcohol, drug use and firearms are prohibited. We will not pick up riders who are intoxicated.

  • Please be ready prior to your pickup time.
  • You’ll receive a pickup timeframe and can track the location of the vehicle in the NTS app.
  • Due to unexpected traffic conditions, trains, or weather, pick-up times can potentially fall behind schedule. Please be patient.
 

Have a digital ticket (“ride credit”) in your account before boarding.

You must have a digital ticket (“ride credit”) in your account to board the NTS vehicle. Drivers cannot accept cash, checks or money orders on the vehicle.

5) Please do not tip the driver

Drive for NTS

Discover a job with purpose, helping people get to and from work, school or training.

Support NTS

About half of NTS riders have no other means of transportation and have experienced difficulty getting to work. We are here, usually in the middle of the night, to help!

Nearly all of NTS riders report that the availability of NTS has allowed them to earn more money and achieve greater independence.

Please join us in helping our rider community create a more secure future.

NTS FAQ

How can I contact NTS?

Call us at (319) 363-1321, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. or email us anytime at  NTS@horizonsfamily.org. We want to help!

Yes! Check the NTS app to see your scheduled rides, request additional rides or change any scheduled rides. You will also receive a text message confirming your pickup time the day of your ride and text message updates when the driver is on the way to your pick-up.

You may also call NTS at (319) 363-1321 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Yes! NTS can drop your child off or pick your child up from childcare as part of the parent’s ride as long as:

  • The parent is in the NTS vehicle at the time of pick-up or drop-off.
  • The parent provides a car seat if required.
  • There will be a charge of one additional ticket.
  • Your childcare provider has the child ready to go when we arrive for pick-up.
 

Please contact the NTS office at (319) 363-1321 to arrange this service.

For the safety of our passengers and drivers, unscheduled riders are not allowed in NTS vehicles.

Riders must be at least 16 years old and going to or from work or training. NTS does not provide rides to school events such as sporting events, sports practice, or other extracurricular activities.

See How Your Donation Makes a Difference

I’m calling to cancel all of my future rides since I received a promotion from General Mills which enabled me to buy a car.

Thank you so much, without NTS I wouldn’t have got the promotion or even kept the job.

– June 24, 2021