Mayor TenHaken and Congressman Dusty Johnson will visit Sioux Area Metro to showcase innovative and cost effective public transportation solutions and celebrate “Free Summer Fridays”
On Thursday, June 18, Mayor Paul TenHaken will be joined by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson for an event to discuss how Sioux Falls has reimagined public transportation across the city.The event will include remarks and a ride along, during which Mayor TenHaken and Rep. Johnson will take a ride on SAM On-Demand, the city’s on-demand transit service to showcase part of the updated comprehensive and integrated transit system. Since the launch of the new system which covers the entire city of Sioux Falls, transit ridership has increased almost 40% on fixed route transit alone while also adding an on-demand microtransit option for those who are traveling outside of fixed route corridors. The event will highlight the importance of innovation and technology in providing better service and using public dollars effectively.
WHAT:
For decades, Sioux Area Metro (SAM) provided basic transit services with a fixed route and paratransit network focused on the core of the city. However, in 2024, Sioux Falls selected Via to design and implement a data-driven, integrated system that better connects residents to jobs and other destinations, which has shown incredible results thus far.
Sioux Area Metro is offering free rides every Friday again this year during the summer months (through September 4, 2026). The "Summer Fridays" program applies to all fixed-route buses and paratransit services, allowing riders to simply board without paying any fare, in an effort to bring more riders to utilize the city’s improved public transportation system.
WHO:
Paul TenHaken, Mayor of Sioux Falls, SD
Congressman Dusty Johnson, U.S. House of Representatives
Andrei Greenawalt, Chief Policy Officer, Via
WHEN AND WHERE:
Thursday, June 18 at 9:30 AM CT; Meet at the large mural on the Mall Avenue Parking Ramp along 10th Street across from the bus depot (SAM Downtown Bus Depot, 120 E. 11th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57104)
Contact:
Gabby McGaig
Chief Communications Officer, Via
gabby@ridewithvia.com