SMART Transit will come to NR Wednesday and for scheduled rides
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
History will be made Saturday, Jan. 2 as Waseca County introduces public transportion.
Southern Minnesota Area Rural Transit announced earlier this year it would expand services — currently provided in Steele, Freeborn and Mower County — to Waseca County as part of a Minnesota Department of Transportation initiative that aims to improve access and service in greater Minnesota.
The Waseca County Demand Response Bus/Van will operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with local service in New Richland on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and in Janesville on Mondays from 10:30-12:30. Demand Response is a county-wide service where people can schedule rides. Cost is $2.50 for county-wide trips and $2 for in-town service. To schedule your ride, call 1-855-762-7821.
The City of Waseca Demand Response Bus will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, at a cost of $2 per ride or $.50 per ride with an unlimited route bus pass.The Demand Response service begins Saturday, Jan. 2.
The City of Waseca Bus Route will operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a one-hour loop around the town including hourly stops at Real Life, Northbridge, 17th Ave., Colony Court, Walmart, Summit on Second, Hy-Vee, Waseca Medical Center, thrift store, Maple Terrace and Senior Center/Transit Office. Just hop on at the bus stop nearest to you. No reservation required. Route bus will also deviate for pickups and drop-offs up to three blocks. Cost is $1.50 per ride.
Waseca’s bus route starts Monday, Jan. 4.
Waseca has been one of the state’s only counties without public transportation. To learn more, call 1-855-762-7821.