Dunn County Transit expands rural pickup, offers free rides funded by ADRC through yearend

Dunn County Transit reported on June 11 that recent route changes implemented on June 2 have improved on-time service and produced higher ridership on community routes, and that an ADRC-funded rural pickup pilot will provide free rides for eligible riders likely through the end of 2025.

The report, delivered by transit staff member Austin, said systemwide finances were “coming in around 1900 to the good right now,” and that the service’s highest ridership comes from the door‑to‑door and community routes. “And then the ridership mostly comes from the doorstop and community route,” Austin said, adding that community ridership had its best May on record and that the scout route recorded the best May as well.

Why it matters: the rural pickup pilot expands access for residents outside town and reduces cost barriers for medical or essential trips. Austin told the board the pilot is being funded with money ADRC allocated for the project and that staff estimate the funding could support “about 200 round trips” through the end of the year if usage remains low to moderate. “It’s gonna be free rides, through the summer, most likely through the end of the year,” he said.

Most of the discussion described how the rural pickup will be scheduled and promoted. Staff said the service will operate as a demand‑response program: the county is only charged when a trip is actually provided. “I’m assuming that no riders means no cost because it’s not like we run the bus on a route if nobody’s there,” one participant observed; Austin confirmed trips trigger payment only when executed. Staff noted early sign-ups have been slow but steady, and that promotion included Facebook posts, local newspapers, municipal email lists managed by ADRC, and a small paid social boost.

The transit team also described specific route changes intended to improve reliability and convenience. The community route was adjusted to stop at the Dunn County Government Center every hour and to add a stop at the UW library at 30 minutes after the hour in addition to the top of the hour; the Clock Tower stop remains. Austin said moving the CVTC bus shelter and eliminating a figure‑8 maneuver have made the route more efficient and increased midday availability. He reported personally driving a community run and dropping off four to five riders in a single morning after the change.

Staff presented ridership metrics meant to show usage relative to student enrollment. Using a multi‑year comparison (excluding spring 2020), staff reported an average of about 12 rides per student post‑COVID and noted recent months were 12–36% above that average. Austin cautioned that some ridership figures were pulled from Google and may be estimates rather than final agency counts.

Staff and board members discussed options to expand connections to regional providers such as Eau Claire and Mayo Clinic shuttles, and noted constraints where out‑of‑county trips require coordination or partnerships. One commenter who identified herself as Julian Alokhazy, an assistant city manager in Eureka, California, praised the trial and encouraged continued experimentation with rural transit links.

Staff recommended continued outreach (including bulletin postings at churches and local partners) and monitoring of demand to consider modest expansion if call volume and schedule capacity allow. The board did not take a formal vote on service expansion at the June 11 meeting; the presentation concluded with staff noting they will continue to monitor ridership and funding and provide updates at future meetings.

The transit team also stated that contracted services (Stealth) and the city subsidy provide periodic payments—Stealth twice yearly, city subsidy quarterly—and that the door‑to‑door service produces the bulk of fare revenue.

Less critical details: staff said some drivers work part time seasonally and that summer patterns vary; staff also raised the idea of linking rural one‑way trips to Eau Claire transit for onward travel. The board scheduled its next meeting for July 9.