Brookings Area Transit Authority briefs Freeman meeting on ridership, funding and a planned facility

Travis Bournham of the Brookings Area Transit Authority told the meeting that Freeman’s transit ridership is recovering and that the authority is moving ahead with design and funding tasks for a new Freeman facility. "We’re at 4,000 rides" year-to-date with two months left in the fiscal year and a possible year-end total near 4,800, Bournham said. He added the system has accumulated about 66,000 vehicle miles year-to-date and that average trip lengths run roughly 16 to 20 miles.

Bournham outlined the authority’s funding mix for Freeman service, saying about half of operating costs come from a combination of 5311 federal funds, state funds and 3(b) funds for elderly transportation; local match comes from municipal and county contributions and fares. He emphasized Medicaid revenue as an important local match source: "Medicaid’s a great source of local match for the Freeman transit," he said.

On the planned facility, Bournham said the project is waiting for approval of an appraisal. He described a two-step federal review: the DOT must complete an appraisal of the property and then the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will review or approve it. Bournham said architects must re-specify portions of the design to comply with Buy America requirements and that some additional planning money from state sources may be available to offset architect fees. "We're waiting—they're talking a couple weeks with that," he said of federal review, and added that bids could be issued this fall; a finish by next spring is possible if weather and bid timing cooperate.

Bournham discussed operating priorities and service type in Freeman, noting the service is largely door-to-door and that medical and dialysis trips account for a substantial share of use. He said the authority has placed emphasis on attracting young riders to build long-term ridership habits; Bournham noted the system recently started daily school trips in Freeman.

Why it matters: The presentation outlines the local transit provider’s resource needs, the federal approvals that control capital timing, and the town’s reliance on Medicaid and local matching funds to sustain service. The facility timeline and architect revisions will determine whether the project remains on a near-term schedule and how much local match or planning funds are required.

What’s next: Bournham said the DOT/FTA appraisal and architect revisions are the key near-term milestones; officials in the meeting asked about timeline constraints and the speaker said bids could go out this fall with construction potentially finished by spring in a favorable year.