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A redesigned network delivers immediate benefits for a fast-growing city

Sioux Area Metro (SAM) revamped its entire transit system and saw increased ridership, efficiency, and transit access in just two months.

email 4 - Sioux Falls 3
53%
increase in on-demand/paratransit efficiency
100%
citywide transit coverage
78%
of riders say the app makes taking public transportation easy

The bottom line.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city, has reaffirmed its commitment to accessible transit through SAM’s Reimagined Plan. This initiative integrates better bus routes, citywide on-demand service, and commingled paratransit into a unified system that boosts connectivity for all residents.

Tell me more.

In September 2024, the City partnered with Via to launch three major network upgrades:

• Redesigning fixed routes for more direct trips, easier transfers, and shorter wait times. 
• Extending microtransit service to the entire city.
• Switching to modern paratransit software for more efficient scheduling and a better rider experience.

The City has seen benefits across the board. Job access within a 60-minute commute increased by 77%; ADA riders can now book last-minute trips through microtransit; and overall ridership continues to grow, as more people find the highly-integrated transit network easy to navigate and use.

There’s a lot of trepidation when you change some things in your transit system… And I’ll tell you, several months into this, this could not be going better.”

Paul TenHaken, Mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Manyu Jiang avatar
Manyu Jiang

Data Journalist

case_study_location
Location
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
case_study_geography
Geography
Suburban, urban
case_study_use_case
Use case
First- and last-mile, general mobility