While Sioux Falls only offers this service during the summer so kids can get to their friends house across town to play video games, Rapid City offers all year so kids can get to school;
As parents and students scamper to buy school clothes, sneakers and supplies, one of the key boxes on the school checklist that impacts many families is reliable transportation to and from school.
The City and Rapid Transit System (RTS) is again offering the ‘Youth Ride Free’ program for the 2021-22 school year.
What a concept! I have felt for a long time it should be all year and anyone 17 and under should be able to swim for FREE at the outdoor pools. Instead the city has cut their transit routes and are looking to cut back on our bus system more and more each year. The reason ridership numbers are dwindling in Sioux Falls is because we have terrible service. Maybe we should just terminate SAM, sell all the assets and buy anyone without a car or driver’s license an E-Bike?
Relative to portion of the City covered and timely point-to-point travel, the Public Transportation system in this City is inadequate and pathetic.
Regardless the hypothetical that it might be free, would it be considered punishment for kids to ride Sioux Area Metro?
Yes and no on this topic. Free for youth under 18 during school and business hours on weekdays. Nights and weekends would become a party bus for problem kids.
No on free swim for youth. Pools would have financial problems given most users are young. Mature and seniors shouldn’t have to subsidize family entertainment. Everyone built public pools and the aquatics center. Everyone should have to pay for admittance so that the revenue is used for maintenance and upgrades.