Friendly Rider Transits number of riders has leveled off but as the service turns 3 years old, its director knows it is here to stay.
Everything is pretty much holding its own, Friendly Rider Transit director Bob Roggenkamp said.
Friendly Rider had 7,915 riders in the first quarter of 2006, about 24 percent of the goal of 33,000 riders for the year, Roggenkamp said. In 2005, Friendly Rider had 8,284 riders in the first quarter. The transit system had consistently increased the number of riders since it began in 2003.
Nice weather has been a factor in having fewer riders so far in 2006, Roggenkamp said.
We had a mild January and mild winter in general, he said. If its beautiful, people arent going to ride the bus.
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But, he said, the transit service is maintaining. New people are calling and riding the bus and at the same time, regular riders have moved away or no longer take the bus, Roggenkamp said.
High fuel prices have affected Friendly Riders budget.
We have less money for advertising or marketing with high fuel prices, but we havent had to raise fares yet, Roggenkamp said.
One-way fares are $1 for up to two miles, $2 for two to nine miles and $3 for more than nine miles. The buses operate on curbside pickup, meaning there arent designated bus stops.
But Roggenkamp said eventually fares might need to increase if fuel prices continue to increase. Friendly Riders fares are some of the cheapest fares in the state, Roggenkamp said. A lot of fares are $1.50 or $2 for in-town rides, he said.
If gas prices go up, it will still be a good bang for the buck, he said.
For now, though, Friendly Riders fares will remain the same.
Recently, Friendly Rider Transit drivers were given a safe driver award for 2005 from Northern Tier Transit Partnership.
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Drivers Don Strayer, Bob Evavold, Bill Wegscheid, Gary Gasper and Leo Hoffman received the award. Roggenkamp recommended the drivers for the award based on criteria established by the Northern Tier Transit Partnership. It is Strayers second consecutive safe driver award.
Beyond maintaining its safety and number of riders, the transit service hopes to upgrade the transit garage. A $200,000 grant has been awarded by the state to fix up the garage, but Wadena County needs to contribute 20 percent, or $40,000. The project probably wont be until 2007, Roggenkamp said.
The county and the state contribute to the Friendly Rider budget, with the county contributing about $15,000 each year. Riders must call in advance to make an appointment. For a complete bus schedule or to schedule a ride, people can call Friendly Rider at (218) 631-5730.
