--- title: "Sioux Area Metro Reintroduces \"Summer Fridays\" with Free Bus and Paratransit Fares" description: Sioux Area Metro (SAM) is offering free fares on all fixed-route buses and paratransit services every Friday from May 22 through September 4, 2026. Explore Sioux Falls with ease during our Summer Friday program. image: https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/SF_9%20(1).png --- [Skip to content](https://siouxareametro.info/newsroom/sioux-area-metro-reintroduces-summer-fridays-with-free-bus-and-paratransit-fares#main-content) [![](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/logoAsset%204.svg)](https://siouxareametro.info/) - [How to ride](https://siouxareametro.info/how-to-ride) - Services - ![bus](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Icons/24px/bus.svg) Bus - ![fleet-2](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Icons/24px/fleet-2.svg) On-demand - ![wav](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Icons/24px/wav.svg) Paratransit - Bus routes - [![bl](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Nav%20Bus%20Color%20assets/bl.svg) Blue (BL)](https://siouxareametro.info/bus/blue) - [![rd](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Nav%20Bus%20Color%20assets/rd.svg) Red (RD)](https://siouxareametro.info/bus/red) - [![gy](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Nav%20Bus%20Color%20assets/gy.svg) Grey (GY)](https://siouxareametro.info/bus/grey) - [![gn](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Nav%20Bus%20Color%20assets/gn.svg) Green (GN)](https://siouxareametro.info/bus/green) - [![yl](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Nav%20Bus%20Color%20assets/yl.svg) Yellow (YL)](https://siouxareametro.info/bus/yellow) - [![or](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Nav%20Bus%20Color%20assets/or.svg) Orange (OR)](https://siouxareametro.info/bus/orange) - [![pr](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Nav%20Bus%20Color%20assets/pr.svg) Purple (PR)](https://siouxareametro.info/bus/purple) - [![bk](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Nav%20Bus%20Color%20assets/bk.svg) Black (BK)](https://siouxareametro.info/bus/black) - [![pk](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/Nav%20Bus%20Color%20assets/pk.svg) Pink (PK)](https://siouxareametro.info/bus/pink) - [Fares & passes](https://siouxareametro.info/fares) - [Newsroom](https://siouxareametro.info/newsroom) - [Policies](https://siouxareametro.info/policies) - [Contact us](https://siouxareametro.info/contact) May 12, 2026 # Sioux Area Metro Reintroduces "Summer Fridays" with Free Bus and Paratransit Fares SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (May 12, 2026) — Sioux Area Metro (SAM) is excited to announce the return of its popular Summer Friday program. Starting the Friday before Memorial Day and running through the Friday after Labor Day, all riders can enjoy free fares on fixed-route buses and paratransit services every Friday. Following the successful implementation of the "SAM Reimagined" plan, which expanded transit access to 100% of the city, this initiative is designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore the revamped system while attending summer events throughout Sioux Falls. "Our goal is to encourage residents to try the new transit system over the summer to reach the many vibrant events happening across the city," said Justin Jellinek, Via’s lead of Central Operations. "By removing the fare on Fridays, we’re making it even easier for the community to see how efficient and accessible our redesigned network has become.". ### Program Details Dates: Fridays from May 22, 2026, through September 4, 2026. Eligibility: All riders on fixed-route and paratransit services. Exclusions: Standard fares still apply for SAM On-Demand rides. Process: No special ticket or app activation is required for the free Friday trips. ### Strengthening a Growing Network Since the partnership with Via began in 2024, SAM has seen a significant increase in efficiency and ridership; thus far in 2026 ridership is up nearly 40% relative to that period. "Summer is the perfect time to discover how our transit system can support your seasonal routine," added Fletcher Lacock, senior planner for the city’s Planning and Development Services Department. "Whether you're heading to a concert, a park, or a local business, SAM is here to help you get there affordably.".   --- For more information on routes, schedules, and service updates, please visit [siouxareametro.info](https://siouxareametro.info/) or [download the SAM Transit app](https://cityofsiouxfalls.onelink.me/K9UZ/l3pilk4y). About Via Via partners with cities and transit agencies worldwide to operate smarter, more flexible public transportation. By integrating microtransit, paratransit, and fixed-route onto a single platform, Via works alongside local teams to continuously improve community outcomes. - [Sioux Area Metro Announces Free Bus Fare for Cyclists Week of May 11 to Celebrate National Bike Month April 15, 2026](https://siouxareametro.info/newsroom/sioux-area-metro-announces-free-bus-fare-for-cyclists-week-of-may-11-to-celebrate-national-bike-month) - [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” June 18, 2026](https://siouxareametro.info/newsroom/mayor-tenhaken-and-congressman-dusty-johnson-will-visit-sioux-area-metro-to-showcase-innovative-and-cost-effective-public-transportation-solutions-and-c-1782230614458) - [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 August 4, 2026](https://siouxareametro.info/newsroom/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) Quick links [How to ride](https://siouxareametro.info/how-to-ride) [Bus routes](https://siouxareametro.info/bus) [On Demand](https://siouxareametro.info/on-demand) [Paratransit](https://siouxareametro.info/paratransit) [Fares & passes](https://siouxareametro.info/fares) Resources [Federal Transit Administration compliance](https://www.siouxfalls.gov/resident-services/sam/rules-policies#ada-rights) [Public Transit Advisory Board](https://www.siouxfalls.gov/government/boards-commissions/public-transit-advisory-bd) [Careers](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Sioux-Area-Metro) [City of Sioux Falls](https://www.siouxfalls.gov/home) Contact us Sioux Area Metro 500 E. Sixth St. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 460-6256 Office hours: Mon - Fri: 5:30am - 9pm Sat: 7:45am - 6:15pm ### Download the SAM Transit app. [Download now](https://cityofsiouxfalls.onelink.me/K9UZ/l3pilk4y) [![facebook](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/siouxareametro/) [![twitter](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://x.com/siouxareametro) [![footer sam logo](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/footer%20sam%20logo.svg)](https://siouxareametro.info) [![footer via logo](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/footer%20via%20logo.svg)](https://ridewithvia.com/) [![footer sxf logo](https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/footer%20sxf%20logo.svg)](https://www.siouxfalls.gov/home) © SAM Transit [Privacy Policy](https://ridewithvia.com/legal/privacy) [Cookie Policy](https://ridewithvia.com/legal/cookie-notice) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Sioux Area Metro", "url" : "https://siouxareametro.info/newsroom/author/sioux-area-metro" }, "dateModified" : "2026-06-23T15:42:00.464Z", "datePublished" : "2026-05-12T13:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Sioux Area Metro Reintroduces \"Summer Fridays\" with Free Bus and Paratransit Fares", "image" : [ "https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/SF_9%20(1).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://siouxareametro.info/newsroom/sioux-area-metro-reintroduces-summer-fridays-with-free-bus-and-paratransit-fares", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://siouxareametro.info/hubfs/logoAsset%204.svg" } } } ```