Sioux Area Metro Explained

Sioux Area Metro
Headquarters:500 E. Sixth St.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Service Area:Urban area
Service Type:Bus service
Tourist trolley
Paratransit
Routes:12
Fleet:29 Buses (Fixed Route)
26 Buses (Paratransit)
Ridership:
Annual Ridership:
Operator:Via

The Sioux Area Metro (SAM) is the local governmental transit agency in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the state's largest public transportation operator. They provide multiple scheduled fixed routes and paratransit services. In December 2023, city council members voted unanimously to select Via as its technology and operations partner[1] . In, the system had a ridership of, or about per weekday as of .

Facilities

Transit Offices and Garage

Address: 500 E. Sixth St.[2]

Coordinates: 43.5516°N -96.7204°W

Facilities: Head office, bus storage and maintenance

Sioux Area Metro Depot

Address: 120 E. 11th St.

Coordinates: 43.5448°N -96.7254°W

Facilities: Downtown bus terminalThe Sioux Area Metro Depot was originally built in 1988 and known as "The Bus Stop". In 2017, the facility underwent a $2 million renovation and reopened on November 6, 2017 with the name Sioux Area Metro Depot. The renovations included a skylight, new canopy, new benches, bike storage and bike repair station. The facility serves 11 routes.[3]

Southwest Transfer Facility

Address: 4409 S. Louise Ave.

Coordinates: 43.5047°N -96.7714°W

Facilities: Mall area bus terminal

Fixed routes

Effective February 1, 2016[4]

Routes operate Monday-Saturday unless otherwise indicated.

No. Destinations[5] Notes
1 VA Hospital, South Kiwanis Ave
2 Sanford Hospital, Augustana University, South Western Ave
3 South Minnesota Ave, West 41st St, Empire Mall
4 East 10th St
5 Avera Hospital, South Cliff Ave, South Phillips Ave
6 PREMIER Center, Terrace Park
7 East Sioux Falls, Dawley Farms Village
8 North 4th Ave, North Cliff Ave Weekday Only
9 East 18th St, East 26th St
10 West 12th St, Hayward Park, South Marion Rd
11 Southwest Circulator
19 Weekday Only

Discontinued Services

Sioux Area Metro operated an old-time trolley styled bus in the downtown area. In 2014 operation of the service was assumed by Downtown Sioux Falls Inc, and in 2019 they were joined by a coalition of local businesses to continue funding through 2022.[6]

Sioux Area Metro also operated four school "tripper" routes until May 2016. These routes were open to the public, with high schools as destinations. School Bus, Inc is currently operating those routes.[7]

Paratransit

Sioux Falls Paratransit is an extension to the city's fixed-route system, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to use it. Each paratransit bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift. All passengers must be certified by guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and be registered with Sioux Area Metro after qualifying. Passengers must schedule Paratransit trips by calling their local office.[8]

Fixed route ridership and service

The ridership and service statistics shown here are of fixed route services only and do not include demand response. Per capita statistics are based on the Sioux Falls urbanized area as reported in NTD data. The significant changes in per capita numbers from 2010 to 2011 are a result of the 2010 census numbers replacing the 2000 census numbers.[9]

Ridership ChangeRidership per capita Vehicle Revenue Hours Change Vehicle Revenue Hours per capita
2002572,630 n/a 4.61 50,882 n/a 0.40945
2003657,444 14.81% 5.29 50,583 0.59% 0.40704
2004684,469 4.11% 5.51 51,130 1.08% 0.41145
2005724,271 5.82% 5.83 52,557 2.79% 0.42293
2006803,450 10.93% 6.47 54,121 2.98% 0.43551
2007837,299 4.21% 6.74 49,929 7.75% 0.40178
2008905,870 8.19% 7.28 53,640 7.43% 0.43164
2009927,112 2.34% 7.46 53,749 0.2% 0.43252
2010937,258 1.09% 7.54 55,239 2.77% 0.44451
2011996,316 6.3% 6.35 55,046 0.35% 0.35111
20121,026,715 3.05% 6.55 55,361 0.57% 0.35312
20131,023,089 0.35% 6.53 55,490 0.23% 0.35394
2014955,357 6.62% 6.09 62,669 12.94% 0.39973
2015885,104 7.35% 5.65 65,640 4.74% 0.41868
2016837,474 5.38% 5.34 64,389 1.9% 0.4107
2017795,026 5.07% 5.07 61,894 3.87% 0.39479
2018782,129 1.62% 4.99 61,935 0.0% 0.39505
2019769,437 1.62% 4.91 62,344 0.66% 0.39766
2020445,205 42.14% 2.84 54,264 12.96% 0.34612
2021389,816 12.44% 2.49 51,756 4.62% 0.33012
2022385,565 1.09% 2.46 - - -
2023502,993 30.46% 2.59 - - -

Fleet

2009 2015 2018 Gillig Low Floor

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sioux Falls kicks off new year with Via as official transit provider; SAM On Demand gains improved app and city-wide coverage starting Jan. 6 . Via . Via . 20 August 2024.
  2. http://www.siouxareametro.org/ContactUs/metro/office Office
  3. News: Sioux Area Metro's downtown digs reopen after $2M worth of upgrades . November 6, 2017 . Joe Sneve. Argus Leader . June 27, 2022.
  4. Web site: Sioux Area Metro - City of Sioux Falls PDF Map of all SAM Routes, Shelters and Stops. www.siouxfalls.org. 2018-04-15.
  5. News: City of Sioux Falls Bus Routes. 2018-04-15.
  6. Web site: Tuchscherer. Rebekah. Downtown Sioux Falls Trolley saved for 2018 summer. 2020-10-26. Argus Leader. en-US.
  7. Web site: Sioux Falls Transit Development Plan. 2018-04-15.
  8. Web site: Paratransit Service - City of Sioux Falls. www.siouxfalls.org. 2018-04-15.
  9. Web site: The National Transit Database (NTD) . June 27, 2022.