The Dell Rapids City Council heard a request to have the city bus operated on Fridays during their last regular meeting on Monday, May 15th. Currently the city bus does not run on Fridays.
“The transit wanted the council to know they have been asked about it on several occasions, and they would like to approach the city about looking at Friday,” said City Administrator Justin Weiland.
Weiland added that he’d like to have conversations to make sure costs could be covered before the council made a decision on adding another day of service. The council decided to have the Policy and Procedures Committee look at adding an extra day of operation as well as providing a different option of a bus pass instead of a punch card.
The council also held a discussion on how to increase ridership and possibly incorporate transportation for kids to the pool in some way that’s linked with purchases of pool passes.
“I would sure like to see ridership increase. I think it’s a service that’s good for the community. It’s good for safety. You’ve got the children on the bus instead of crossing streets,” said Alderman Mike Geraets.
After some discussion about how to get children to the pool on a pilot program and after a withdrawn motion by Alderman James Borchert, Alderman Mark Crisp made a motion that if a pool pass is purchased, children can ride the city bus for free that live within city limits to and from swimming lessons as a pilot program. The motion was seconded by Geraets. The motion passed.