City of Sioux Falls, Sioux Area Metro, and Via Launch “Better Bus” Initiative, Invite Community to See the New Buses at Downtown Sioux Falls Open Streets on Aug. 7
Redesigned bus interiors, locally created bus art, and upcoming stop improvements mark the next phase of the SAM and Via partnership
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (July 23, 2026) — The City of Sioux Falls, Sioux Area Metro (SAM) and Via today announced the Better Bus initiative, a citywide effort to transform riding the bus in Sioux Falls into a delightful experience. The initiative includes refreshed, digital-first bus interiors, new bus exteriors featuring original artwork from local artists, and a series of upcoming enhancements to bus stops and transit infrastructure across the city.
The community is invited to experience the transformation firsthand at Downtown Sioux Falls Open Streets from 5pm-8pm on Friday, Aug. 7, where SAM and Via will bring one of the newly redesigned buses downtown for public tours alongside family-friendly activities.
As part of Better Bus, SAM has begun rolling out buses with upgraded interiors built around rider comfort and modern technology, including new lighting and digital screens that make every trip brighter, easier to navigate, and more welcoming.
The initiative also introduced Art on the Move, Sioux Falls’ first bus art competition, inviting local artists to submit original designs celebrating the people, places, and spirit of the city. A selection panel, including the city’s Visual Arts Committee, reviewed submissions and selected four winning designs, which are now wrapped on SAM buses circulating throughout Sioux Falls:
- “Native Flowers of South Dakota” — Kenzie Shubert
- “Let’s Drive Around Town” — Tom Bates
- “Bison Bus” — Yuharelly Comparan
- “The Sioux Falls Magical Mystery Tour” — Scott Parsons
“Better Bus is about meeting riders where they are — literally and figuratively,” said Justin Jellinek, Via’s lead of Central Operations. “From redesigned interiors to bus stops that will soon see real upgrades, every piece of this initiative comes back to making transit something Sioux Falls residents want to ride, not just have to ride. The artwork on our buses is a great example — it turns something riders see every day into something that reflects their own community.”
“Sioux Falls is growing, and so is the way we get around it,” said Logan Penfield, the city’s assistant director of planning and development services, which oversees SAM. “Better Bus shows what’s possible when a city invests in its transit system — not just how it runs, but how it feels to ride. I’m excited for residents to see the new buses and meet some of the local artists behind them at Open Streets on Aug. 7.”
See It in Person: Downtown Open Streets, Aug. 7
SAM and Via invite Sioux Falls residents to Downtown Sioux Falls Open Streets on Friday, Aug. 7, for a first look at the new bus designs and interiors. The event runs from 5pm until 8pm along Phillips Avenue. Attendees can:
- Tour one of the newly redesigned SAM buses
- Snap a selfie with our on-board photo booth
- Meet the Sioux Falls mascot, Sammy
- Pick up coloring sheets and crayons to design your very own bus
- Collect stickers and other Better Bus swag
The event is free and open to the public. More details are available at dtsf.com.
A Growing Network
Better Bus builds on the momentum of SAM and Via’s partnership, which began in 2024. Since the redesign of SAM’s network, fixed-route ridership has grown 37% and job access within a one-hour transit ride has nearly doubled for Sioux Falls residents.
Additional enhancements to bus stops and transit infrastructure across Sioux Falls are planned in the months ahead as part of the broader Better Bus initiative.
For more information on Better Bus, SAM routes, and schedules, visit siouxareametro.info or download the SAM Transit app.