The Rapid Transit System was growing until the pandemic hit. Now, the system is bouncing back - and making adjustments to reinforce that progress.
The updated network was recently approved by the Rapid City Common Council.
Transit system manager Megan Gould-Stabile explained the changes.
“In 2022 Rapid Transit System and the Metropolitan Planning Organization – MPO – did a transit development plan for our system," Gould-Stabile said. "One of the biggest things they came back with as a recommendation was a route refresher. Not expanding the routes, but actually taking our existing routes and making them more efficient and accessible.”
She said this reflects the networks post-COVID recovery.
“COVID, obviously, we had minimal riders," Gould-Stabile said. "Pre-COVID, our ridership was crazy, it was growing and growing. COVID hits, decreased, and now we’re back on the up. The growth of the city and the places people are needing to get to are going more outwards than inwards in our city limits.”
Though Gould-Stabile said she doesn’t want this to be the end of upgrading the network.
“I have my dreams. In the next five to 10 years, I’d like to see us providing service to everyone in our community that needs it," Gould-Stabile said. "Public transportation to any community no matter the size is very important, just in the fact that not everyone can afford a vehicle in this day and age. Not everyone can afford the insurance on the vehicle.”
A link to route information is available on Rapid Transit's website.