Spearfish Mayor Jerry A. Krambeck was awarded the first South Dakota Friend of Transit Award at Spearfish SD. Jerry was first appointed to Prairie Hills Transit (PHT) Board in 1997 as a Spearfish City Council Representative. In 2000, when he was elected as Mayor, he chose to continue serving as the City Representative.

As a fourth generation resident of the Black Hills with deep roots in the Spearfish community Jerry's commitment to PHT continues to benefit the residents of the Spearfish community with financial and fuel support for the public transit system. The city has always come through when PHT requested match for a new bus, increased fuel as the fleet grows, or special projects to assist people in need.

Since that first year when Spearfish gave $2,000, Jerry has helped leverage financial support of over a quarter million dollars in operating funding, fuel, land and capital purchases of equipment. He has helped with a number of special projects; $1,000 per quarter for the "silver project"—a project that allows individuals with limited income to pay .25 on the dollar for a Wheel ticket for a month; financial support to bus residents of Newell, South Dakota to Spearfish when their grocery store closed; and most recently helped sell the sponsorship on our new trolley to Premier Bank.

Jerry's brother John, who is a Northern Hills Training Center (NHTC) consumer, uses the PHT service to get from Jerry's home to work at the NHTC each day. It has been important for John to have the independence of getting on and off the bus each day without assistance.

Jerry was a member of the Spearfish Volunteer Fire Department for 23 years, and currently serves on several boards; PHT, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Black Hills Council of Local Governments, Spearfish Economic Development Corporation, First Vice President of the South Dakota Municipal League, President of the Northern Hills United Way and on the Steering Committee of the South Dakota Public Assurance Alliance. He exemplifies the meaning of "giving back to the community."

Jerry has helped more than once by offering to talk to other Mayors and municipalities about the significant benefit and attraction the PHT has to citizens in our community and others surrounding it. He has always viewed it as "an honor and privilege for the City of Spearfish to be involved with the growth of the transit program in Spearfish." He goes on to say that "You have our continued thanks and support in this and all of your endeavors. With the new fleet of vehicles and your efforts toward expanded service, we are excited to have a system such as Prairie Hills Transit available in our community."

The woman behind the man, finance officer Beth Benning, says Jerry is an excellent Mayor and is great to work with.

2006 North Dakota Innovative Agency of the Year

An innovative agency is one that is not discouraged by challenges; it is an agency that does not view change as negative, but one that seizes change as an opportunity. Handi-Wheels Transportation Inc. is that type of agency. It is a very small non-profit transit agency that scans the horizon for innovative ways to serve people better. Handi-Wheels is focused on their mission.

Handi-Wheels has a history of providing transportation to disabled passengers in Fargo. In 2004, Handi-Wheels was in need of vehicle improvements and ridership was low. Allan Peterson, the president of the Handi-Wheels board, had become a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Initiative, an FM Metro COG Subcommittee. This committee was tasked with improving job access in the Fargo-Moorhead Metro Area for low income individuals. The committee received Job Access Reverse Commute Funds (JARC) to help increase transportation for job seekers. Handi-Wheels agreed to offer Job Access rides to areas of the metro that were not feasible for fixed route transit. Handi-Wheels leadership wanted to ensure that by expanding into job access transportation, their original clients were still served. They have actually been able to offer them more options in the process. Since agreeing to become a JARC provider, Handi-Wheels employment and education ridership has increased 374 percent from 346/month to 1297/month in 9 months. Ridership of our other clients has also increased during the same time period. One of the benefits is that 5 of our clients (formerly unemployed & without transportation) have now graduated from CNA school.

Embracing opportunities is what makes Handi-Wheels unique. Currently, Handi-Wheels receives funds for transportation from Medicaid, FTA, Private Foundations, and individual donations. The Metro Transportation Initiative Committee is made of up of many transportation providers in the area and social agencies who have clients with special needs. Coordination among this Committee and Handi-Wheels has made this program possible. Many people with financial and physical hardships are being served, and people with disabilities have the opportunity to serve.

Picture of the ND Innovative Agency Award recipient

Pictured left to right receiving the award are; Gary Hegland, Handi-Wheels Board; Mikel Kunza, Fargo Metro COG; Jim Martin, Handi-Wheels Driver; and Ron Baumgart, DTA President presenting the award.

2006 South Dakota Innovative Agency of the Year

Brookings Area Transit Authority (BATA) provides transportation to the county of Brookings and outlying towns as needed. They serve the elderly, handicapped, youth and general public. BATA has recently experienced a great deal of growth in their service. Their goal was to increase awareness of the public transit system. Presentations were made to the many service groups, assisted living centers, nursing homes, and businesses. Relationships were developed with the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Brookings, the Brookings Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Swiftel Center, the City Council and South Dakota State University. The marketing efforts also included developing and implementing a new BATA logo for advertising and recognition, buying shirts and coats for the drivers with this logo, using a new banner for promotions, and putting the buses in the local parades. Town meetings were held in Volga, White and Elkton.

Another major accomplishment has been the coordination between BATA and the Student Association of SDSU to provide SafeRide Transportation to the university students on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. This relationship is also being enhanced through a study grant with SURTC to identify on-campus transportation needs and how BATA can provide improved campus transportation services. The other major addition to the service was adding Medicaid coverage for the qualified riders. The growth in passenger numbers have been reflected in these changes. Ridership is up 46% from 2004 year end. Dispatch software has also been implemented which will assist in handling the increased number of rides.

As a result, their hours of operation have been expanded to reflect the demands of the people and are currently 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM. In addition, BATA is open until 7:00 PM on Mondays to accommodate riders who attend the Harvest Table; a weekly meal that is provided for the less fortunate. This transportation is made available to those riding at no cost. Currently hours are once again being reviewed, with a 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM schedule being considered.

Previously, BATA operated four buses on less than a full-time basis, with two back-up vehicles used only as needed. With the increase in ridership, today they are running eight vehicles, with another two that have been approved. BATA has received additional funding from the United Way program and a local utility company to provide match on a new vehicle. While the drivers once numbered four, there are now 10, including full-time, part-time and substitute drivers.

BATA has also taken on the ticket agent position with Jefferson Lines. In order to accomplish this, a depot had to be secured and promotion done accordingly. The expansion and changes made to BATA under the direction of Brenda Schweitzer, are just the beginning of how transportation can be improved in the Brookings County area. It has come with growing pains, but has been successful because of a very supportive and flexible staff, board of directors, and the help of the County Highway Department. Brookings Area Transit Authority has indeed been innovative and aggressive in bettering the transportation opportunities for the communities of Brookings County.

From left to right receiving the award are; Brookings Area Transit Authority drivers Alan Buskrud & Ron Schroeder; Brenda Schweitzer, Director and DTA Board Member Barb Ballensky presenting the award.

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South Dakota Friend of Transit

2006 North Dakota Innovative Agency of the Year

2006 South Dakota Innovative Agency of the Year

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