Aberdeen Ride Line
205 North 4th St
Aberdeen, SD
57401
Demand Response Bus Service Paratransit Service Ride Line News
Rideline
605-626-3333
Weekday Hours of Service: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Return to Aberdeen Ride Line
Weekday Hours of Service: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Return to Aberdeen Ride Line
Demand Bus Service
Fixed route fare for persons with disabilities: $1.50
80% of buses are wheelchair accessible.
How can visitors determine where and when vehicles will be accessible? Phone 605-626-3333
Paratransit Service
Paratransit fare for persons with disabilities is $1.50.
Cash IS accepted by drivers.
Who is eligible to ride paratransit service? General Public.
Special certifications ARE NOT required for visitors with disabilities.
How far in advance can services be booked? At least one day.
How far in advance do you suggest that services be booked? One day.
The service is operated Curb to Curb.
Ride Line News
Bus Link Returns December 17th
Aberdeen will be connected with a commercial bus
line in time for Christmas travelers, thanks to city dollars and the
persistence of Aberdeen resident Ted Kneebone.
The first Rideline shuttle from Aberdeen to the
Interstate 29 connection at Summit will be Dec. 17.
There, bus riders will be able to meet up with Jefferson Bus
Lines out of Sioux Falls or Fargo, N.D., and head either north or south.
Two shuttles will travel from Aberdeen to Summit
every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The first will leave at 9 a.m. and
arrive at Summit about noon to meet a Jefferson bus going to Fargo. The
second will leave Aberdeen at 3 p.m. and get to Summit around 6:30 p.m.
to meet a Sioux Falls-bound bus. Jefferson bus riders can also catch the
Rideline shuttle back to Aberdeen.
Essentially, passengers can continue on from those
destinations to anywhere in the United States, says Jefferson
representative Bonnie Buchanan. "Because of this new service,
Aberdeen once again has a connection to any inter-city bus
service," she continued, adding that someone in California who
wants to go to Aberdeen can call and get a schedule.
The Rideline shuttle became a reality because
Kneebone wouldn't give up on getting commercial bus service for the
city.
He knows what it's like to rely on public
transportation -
his
vision doesn't allow him to drive, and he doesn't like to fly.
"Some people have no way to get around," he said.
Kneebone organized a survey in the spring of 2000,'
calling more than 400 Aberdeen residents and asking about their interest
in an inter-city bus service. About 40 percent said they would use the
service if it was available.
"Ted's continued efforts have made our
community aware that the need (for Rideline) is still there," said
Dave Osborn, Rideline transportation director.
Osborn said Rideline has applied for a grant to
purchase a 16-passenger van. Rideline will accommodate passengers with
disabilities. One driver will be hired for the routes next month.
Tickets will be sold at the Rideline building;
people can use a credit card to purchase them over the phone. Rideline
will handle calls for reservations during regular business hours, but
Osborn said there will be a toll-free phone number for off hours, and
people can speak to a representative from a Jefferson Line agency that
specializes in intercity bus connections.
Ticket prices are still being figured, Osborn said.
But Aberdeen riders won't have to buy a ticket to Summit and then a
separate ticket to a further destination; passengers will just buy one
ticket from Aberdeen to their final destination for a "convenient,
one-time purchase," Osborn said.
Jefferson representative George Keil estimated a
one-way ticket from Aberdeen to Kansas City purchased seven days in
advance would cost between $49 and $59.
Osborn stressed the route's purpose is not to
compete with the airport or enhance revenue, but to provide a service to
people in Aberdeen. "It's not an avenue to expand what we do, but
to assist our community," he said."
He said the city commission recognizes the need for
the service and has been with Rideline every step of the way. The
commission will review the service in six months. Though Osborn said
winter can be a slow time, he hopes people will take advantage of it for
holiday travel.
"The city can't sponsor it year after year if
nobody uses it," Osborn said, stressing that the most important
thing for the route's success is use.
"Without support, it's not going to
continue," Osborn said emphatically. "We want people to see
its benefit so we don't lose it again."
A grand opening celebration for the new route will
be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Dec. 10 at the Rideline building.
Reprinted from Aberdeen American News.
Article by Elissa Grossell American News Writer
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