The Jule

ParentCity of Dubuque
Headquarters950 Elm St.
LocaleDubuque, Iowa
Service areaDubuque County
Service typeBus service, Paratransit
AllianceDelaware, Dubuque, & Jackson County Regional Transit Authority
Routes9
Hubs3 (Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center & 2 transfer points)
Fleet32
Daily ridership
390,427 (2024)
Fuel typeClean diesel
Director
Ryan Knuckey
WebsiteOfficial Site

The Jule, formerly KeyLine Transit, is a public transit operator in Dubuque, Iowa. The system's name is derived from Julien Dubuque, the city's namesake. The Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center, which opened in 2015, serves as the primary transfer facility for local and intercity bus travel.

Since 2020, the network has been adjusted several times to respond to shifting travel patterns following the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes have reflected the long-term shifts in travel demand and commuting patterns.

History

Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center

Public transit in Dubuque was consolidated in the early 1970s, when the city assumed control of the Interstate Power and Light Company's bus operations. Under city ownership, the system was renamed KeyLine and used a decentralized transfer model centered on the intersection of Ninth and Main Streets in the downtown core.

In 2011, the system adopted the name The Jule as part of a broader effort to improve marketability and support downtown revitalization. The network fully completed the rebranding in 2015, coinciding with the opening of the centralized Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center. The name is a reference to city founder Julien Dubuque. In 2018, The Jule's fleet operations and training center moved to a new $6.2 million facility in Dubuque.

Similar to many other transit systems, ridership declined sharply during the early stages of COVID‑19, prompting temporary service reductions. The city conducted a systemwide study to improve efficiency and better serve major destinations. Initial changes were implemented in 2022, with further refinements in 2023. Fleet modernization has been a parallel priority. State and federal funding supported the replacement of aging buses with hybrid and electric vehicles, along with upgrades to passenger information and fare systems.

Services

A network redesign beginning in 2021 simplified routes and aimed to make travel more intuitive. Most routes operate to or from JFK Circle or the Intermodal Transportation Center. JFK Circle functions as the secondary transfer point focused on allowing access between routes on the city's west side. Seasonal trolley service operates during the summer, connecting the Mississippi River riverfront and historic districts. The city also offers fare-free services to local colleges during the academic year. The program is partially funded and coordinated with the University of Dubuque, Loras College, and Clarke University. Saturday service operates on a reduced schedule, with several weekday routes consolidated into combined all-day patterns. There is no service on Sundays or evenings.

Weekday fixed routes

Route Service area
BlueDowntown and near south side
BrownJFK Circle and northwest side
ExpressLimited stop service between the Intermodal Center and JFK Circle
GreenDowntown and northern neighborhoods
GreyJFK Circle and near west side areas
OrangeDowntown, universities, and far southern neighborhoods
PinkDowntown and north end areas
PurpleSouthwest side retail circulator via JFK Circle

Peak hour service

The Jule operates several commuter services during peak periods mainly using deviations or extensions of existing routes, providing timed connections to major employment centers.

Paratransit

Paratransit service is offered through The Jule's on-demand program, providing curb-to-curb transportation for eligible riders.

Fleet

In 2011, The Jule renewed its fleet with new vehicles for fixed route and paratransit service, including buses from Gillig and ElDorado National, paratransit vehicles based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and seasonal tourist trolley buses aimed at visitors. As of 2023, its year-round fixed-route fleet consisted of 18 Gillig Low Floor buses.

Fixed route ridership

The ridership and service statistics shown here are of fixed route services only and do not include demand response. Per capita statistics are based on the Dubuque urbanized area as reported in NTD data.

YearRidershipChange over previous year
2014 409,144Increase8.38%
2015 479,185Increase17.12%
2016 486,691Increase1.57%
2017 455,959Decrease6.31%
2018 445,817Decrease2.22%
2019 421,693Decrease5.41%
2020 333,244Decrease20.97%
2021 319,697Decrease4.07%
2022 333,187Increase4.13%
2023 331,709Decrease4.44%
2024 390,427Increase17.71%

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Public Transportation Services | Department of Transportation". iowadot.gov. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center". City of Dubuque. 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "Iowa Cities Adjust Transit Service to Meet Changing Travel Patterns". Iowa Public Radio. 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Intermodal Terminal Opens and Jule Routes Change on Aug. 17". Mass Transit Magazine. 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  5. ↑ "National Transit Database: Dubuque, IA Profile". Federal Transit Administration. 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  6. ↑ DMATS Transportation Planning Work Program FY2026 (PDF) (Report). East Central Intergovernmental Association. 2025. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  7. ↑ "The Telegraph-Herald - Google News Archive Search". Google News. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Intermodal Terminal Opens and Jule Routes Change on Aug. 17". Mass Transit Magazine. 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  9. ↑ "About The Jule". City of Dubuque. 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  10. ↑ Wong, Allison. "Dubuque's Jule buses move to new operations center". KCRG-TV9. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Dubuque's Jule transit buses to require facial coverings". KCRG‑TV9. July 29, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Dubuque Transit Study: Final Recommendations (Report). City of Dubuque. 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2026.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ↑ Transit Service Update and Route Adjustments (Report). City of Dubuque Transportation Services. 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2026.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ↑ Drake, Tom (September 6, 2022). "Dubuque To Get First Electric Jule Bus; Misses Out On $3.4 Million". Townsquare Media. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  15. ↑ Transit Technology Modernization Report (Report). City of Dubuque. 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Routes & Schedules | Dubuque, IA - Official Website". cityofdubuque.org. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Seasonal Downtown Trolley Service". City of Dubuque. 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  18. ↑ "UPDATE: Dubuque's Jule bus service hours to start in August". KCRG‑TV9. April 18, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Jule Bus Fares Waived for Dubuque College Students". Dubuque in Pursuit News. August 27, 2025. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Dubuque college students can ride the Jule buses free this school year". KCRG‑TV9. August 28, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Dubuque Transit Updates Aim to Improve Access for Workers". KCRG-TV9. 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Change in Jule Service route". WGLR. March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  23. ↑ "ADA Paratransit Program". City of Dubuque. 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  24. ↑ "PTMS Ranking – Transit Portal". Iowa Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  25. ↑ Carros, Adam (December 18, 2020). "Dubuque to unveil new buses in 2021". KCRG-TV9. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  26. ↑ "City of Dubuque - Transit Agency Profile". Federal Transit Administration. Retrieved March 26, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)