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

January 3, 2024 (SIOUX FALLS, SD) — As of January 1, Via, the global leader in TransitTech, has taken over technology and operations as the new transit provider for the City of Sioux Falls, and the transition is starting strong with immediate enhancements to the existing SAM On Demand service. 

Starting Saturday, January 6, SAM On Demand riders will gain a new and improved app (“SAM Transit” is now available in the App Store and Google Play) that provides an intuitive map and booking experience, real-time ride tracking, and smarter routing. Further, SAM On Demand will expand its coverage zone to encompass the entire city of Sioux Falls and allow pre-booked rides up to seven days in advance. Service hours (Saturdays from 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.) and fares ($1.50 or less) will remain the same, and now with added in-app payment options.

While the rest of the SAM transit network will maintain its usual service hours and frequency for now, community members can expect other exciting upgrades in 2024 as part of Via’s vision for a rider-centric, data-driven approach to transit in Sioux Falls. Through a gradual transition, Via seeks to reimagine Sioux Falls public transportation to be more efficient, accessible, and convenient for residents, workers, and visitors alike. Via remains dedicated to ensuring a smooth takeover, without disruptions to existing transit operations. 

“Via is thrilled to begin 2024 as the official transit provider for Sioux Falls. We’re committed to building a reliable, rider-centric future of transit in Sioux Falls, while also prioritizing open communication and education for current and prospective passengers,” said Alex Lavoie, Via’s Co-Chief Operating Officer. 

“We look forward to what’s ahead for public transit in Sioux Falls with our new partner, Via, and we appreciate their commitment to the team at Sioux Area Metro and existing riders first in this immediate transition period. This updated and enhanced app experience for SAM On Demand riders gives us a preview of some of the innovation Via will be able to bring to our community, particularly through technology,” said Jeff Eckhoff, Director of Planning and Development Services at the City of Sioux Falls. 

A five-year agreement with Via was approved in an 8-0 decision by Sioux Falls City Councilors in early December, after Via was ranked the highest in a competitive bidding process by a selection committee composed of City staff, a City Councilor, and PTAB members. Via has experience helping more than 600 communities around the world to use intelligent software to transform their public mobility systems. Its 150+ on-demand transit programs in the U.S., which now includes SAM On Demand, are some of the most successful and efficient in the nation. 

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About Via

Founded in 2012, Via pioneered the TransitTech category by using new technologies to develop public mobility systems — optimizing networks of buses, shuttles, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, school buses, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles around the globe. Building the world's most efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all passengers — including those with limited mobility, those without smartphones, and unbanked populations — Via works with its partners to lower the costs of public transit while providing transportation options that rival the convenience of a personal car while reducing environmental impact. At the intersection of transportation and technology, Via is a visionary market leader that combines software innovation with sophisticated service design and operational expertise to fundamentally improve the way the world moves, providing technology in 650 communities and more than 35 countries and counting.