Public Transit Advisory Board

Public Transit Advisory Board Minutes Monday, June 23, 2025 3:30 PM Cooper Room City Center 231 N Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Staff Liaison: Bren Schweitzer, bren.schweitzer@siouxfalls.gov (605) 367-8689 Fletcher Lacock, fletcher.lacock@siouxfalls.gov (605) 367-8896 MEETING ASSISTANCE: UPON REQUEST, ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MEETINGS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. PLEASE CONTACT THE HUMAN RELATIONS OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, CITY HALL, 224 WEST 9TH STREET, SIOUX FALLS, SD AT 367-8745 (VOICE) OR 367-7039 (TTY) 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING. Facilitator - Chair Quorum Determination Six members were present; one absent. Call To Order Meeting Procedures - City Staff Approval of Agenda – Chair Motion by Gutierrez, Second by Whiting to add agenda item: Letter of Support for FTA Grant Motion Passed Approval of Minutes – Chair Motion by Sonsalla, Second by Gutierrez to approve the May PTAB Minutes – Motion Passed Unfinished Business: a: July PTAB Meeting: Formal Business @ SAM prior to boarding bus. Our current plan is to hold the July PTAB meeting at the SAM offices, with the business meeting being held in their training room, with the balance of the meeting to be held on a bus. There will not be a virtual meeting option available for this meeting. The plan would be to take the Purple Route from the Weber/6th Street stop. This would be open to the public. We are researching space limitations for accessible needs. There are two mobility device positions available for fixed route passengers. Further information on this will be provided by communication through e-mail on the PTAB "Interested Parties" list. New Business: a: FTA Grant Opportunity: There is an opportunity through FTA to apply for a Bus & Bus Facilities Grant which we are planning to submit for the purpose of replacing our 30-year-old bus shelters and updating the bus stops with concrete pads to bring them all into ADA compliance. This will improve efficiency and safety in our system. A letter of support from PTAB is being requested. Motion by Whiting, Second by Cleveringa to provide a Letter of Support for the FTA Grant Application. Motion Passed b: Via Mid-Year Service Review/Council Update: Via presented their Mid-Year Service Review to the Sioux Falls City Council earlier this month. This same presentation was provided to PTAB. April 2024 - April 2024 - Ridership up 23% (9% Fixed Route) Paratransit is down, but being commingled with On-Demand, showing an overall increase. On-time performance has been above our 93% target (Paratransit) On-Demand continues to grow - currently over $8,000 rides/month. Average ETA 24 minutes. Highest ridership is on the 30-minute frequency lines and are most efficient. Saturday Service has been strong. Increased hours on four routes have been a positive move, increasing rides/hour. On-Demand heat map provided for high use, will help dictate future route plans. Operations Report: Data unavailable for May, will be provided in July. Public input on non-agenda items – Chair Public comments included comments on On-Time-Performance, communication challenges, paratransit prices vs. services, and a smoother fare structure. Sunday service inquiry - limited to funding availability, the website has mapping challenges where you cannot increase the map/routes to view. Also, they could not find the map to show all the routes on siouxareametro.info. Mentioning landmarks on the routes would be helpful I.E. (library on the Green route). Consider providing small, printed maps and other posters, marketing. Improved communication, assistance at the SAM headquarters, Put ETAs on the bus stops, fare conversation included late rides, streamlining fares, etc. There is currently a study on fare structures. The SAM team and Board Chair Johannesen stayed afterwards to visit with patrons. Adjourn Motion by Whiting to Adjourn