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Elder Care and Dickinson Public Transit report rising ridership, new software and building-design grant
Summary
Elder Care and Dickinson Public Transit told commissioners that ridership and work trips have grown, new Ecolane software and an app for riders were implemented, and a $200,000 design grant was secured for a planned expansion of the transit building; the agency also reported ongoing meal-program funding challenges.
Colleen Radakowski, executive director of Elder Care and Dickinson Public Transit, gave the commission the program's annual update on May 20, reporting increased ridership, new trip-booking software, a vehicle fleet expansion and active grant work on a proposed building addition.
Radakowski said the agency added four buses last year (about $550,000) and is acquiring two vans this year. She described a new Ecolane transit-software implementation that allows riders to schedule and pay for trips from a smartphone app and said the share of work-related rides has grown to about 46.5 percent of one-way trips, with medical and shopping trips each about 17 percent.
On funding, Radakowski said agency income (contracts and DOT funding) comprises the largest share of operating revenue while local match from the city supports operations. She noted the meal program has faced budgetary strain; the organization provided about 81,000 meals in 2024, down roughly 1,700 from the prior year, and reported a net income of about $33,000 for the agency last year. Radakowski described cuts to weekend frozen-meal distributions and other service adjustments to manage costs.
On facilities, Radakowski said the agency won a $200,000 design grant from NDDOT for a conceptual design of an approximate 9,000-square-foot expansion (a larger garage and meeting space); the city provided a $50,000 local match for the design stage. She said the expansion remains contingent on future construction funding and additional grant approval.
Radakowski asked for—and received—continued partnership with the city. Commissioners thanked the organization for its work and for trying new tools and routes, including a twice-weekly Bismarck run added this year.
Ending: Radakowski said staff will continue grant writing and report back as design and procurement phases advance; she also requested continued local funding and volunteer recruitment support for the meal program and delivery services.
