WATERLOO -- Local residents will have another option for traveling to Cedar Rapids and Mason City beginning in 2008.

Jefferson Lines is re-opening a bus route in 2008 that will extend from Mason City to Iowa City via Charles City, Waverly, Waterloo, Urbana and Cedar Rapids.

According to Courier archives, the Minneapolis-based company previously operated the same route, but discontinued the service in 2003. Greyhound Lines took over the Waterloo-Cedar Rapids leg of the route while Jefferson Lines continued to provide service from Mason City to Waterloo. Soon after, Jefferson Lines pulled out of Waterloo completely. In 2004, Burlington Trailways took over the Waterloo-Cedar Rapids route after Greyhound pulled out, and Burlington Trailways still operates their Waterloo-Cedar Rapids route today, along with service to Dubuque and Chicago.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Waterloo will rent space to Jefferson for its new line at the MET's central transit station located at 416 Sycamore Avenue, according to MET operations manager Larry Meyer. Burlington Lines also currently operates out of this facility.

Federal funding under the administration of the Iowa Department of Transportation will provide a portion of the funding for these new services. A $1.6 million grant was approved by the Iowa Transportation Commission in December to maintain the viability of Iowa's intercity bus service, according to a release from the ITC.

Jefferson Lines is a Minneapolis-based that provides bus transit services winding mostly north and south through 11 states and part of Canada. The northern-most stop is Winnipeg, Ontario, and service extends as far south as Dallas.

Contact Drew Andersen at (319) 291-1418 or drew.andersen@wcfcourier.com.