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Council adopts new transit fares, delays effective date amid federal funding uncertainty
Summary
After a presentation by Beta transit leadership, the council adopted updated transit rates (out-of-town trips moved to $30 round trip / $15 each way), set an October 1 effective date, and approved a senior suggested‑donation policy for in‑town trips; members discussed federal funding declines and the need to bank fare revenue for future vehicle/staffing needs.
The Dell Rapids City Council approved updated fare rates for the city’s transit service after a presentation from Beta (Brookings Area Transit Authority) leadership.
Travis (executive director, Beta) told the council the current $14 round trip charge to Sioux Falls does not fully cover driver wages and vehicle wear for the out‑of‑town trips. Travis said Beta logged about 191 trips to Sioux Falls last year that produced roughly $2,600 in fare revenue; raising the fare to $30 round trip (or $15 each way) would bring monthly revenue closer to covering a driver’s wages. “At $14 round trip, you’re barely covering the trip to Sioux Falls,” he said.
Council raised concerns about federal funding reductions and timing. Staff proposed language that sets the in‑town fare at $2, establishes a senior suggested donation for in‑town rides (60+), and shifts the effective date to October 1 to give riders notice and allow the city to bank additional revenue ahead of potential funding cuts. Councilmember Nelson moved to adopt the resolution with changes (make the senior suggested donation apply to in‑town trips only; set the age at 60 and make the effective date Oct. 1); the council approved the motion by voice vote.
Council members asked staff to clarify which trips may be reimbursable by Medicaid and whether Medicaid reimbursement could offset fare increases for medical trips; Travis said he could supply numbers on Medicaid‑reimbursed trips to Sioux Falls. The council’s action was limited to adoption of the fare resolution and did not alter transit operations beyond the rate change and effective date.
What happens next: staff will revise the resolution language to specify the senior donation applies to in‑town trips, publish the new rates and effective date to riders, and provide requested Medicaid‑reimbursement numbers to the council.
