‘I can’t get a ride': SAM changes cause concern for residents

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Last month, Sioux Area Metro made changes to bus routes with the goal of being more efficient and direct, but some customers have been critical of the changes.

The changes reduced the number of routes in favor of having more busses available to make more frequent stops. SAM on Demand would fill in the gaps.

Sioux Falls resident Louis Brockman said that it isn't going according to plan.

"The idea was nice with having the mini transit, but it didn't really work," Brockman said.

Brockman and his wife both have disabilities and neither have a car. They've used public transit in Sioux Falls for years, but now the closest bus stop to them is nearly a mile away.

He said that many of their neighbors, including residents at the nearby Southeastern Behavioral Health, have felt left behind.

"I can't get a ride most of the time and if I do, if I wanted to go into town and I can't get SAM On Demand, they usually will tell me to walk down to the Green Line and I have several handicapped neighbors in this apartment who ride the bus and the next apartment over," Brockman explained.

If getting to the bus isn't an option, SAM on Demand has been Brockman's only chance at getting to places like the grocery store or the pharmacy.

The transportation company Via said that 100% of the city is now covered with their microtransit option and they've been able to serve 94% of their requests.

However, Brockman hasn't had much success with SAM on Demand.

He said that he had heard that part of the issues they've been seeing might be traced back to a shortage of available drivers.

"I'll bet you right to this moment we still can't get a ride out there. about five hours worth of calling, I finally got a ride up there and back after two days of trying to get to Walmart. You know what I'm saying? That's rough," Brockman said. "Especially because we didn't have any groceries. That's my way to get to the grocery store. I had not much to eat. That's messed up."

A spokesperson from Via said they're already seeing some benefits from the changes "Come to life" and they've seen a 10% increase fixed route ridership since late September.

Their full statement can be read below.

Brockman has used Sioux Area Metro and locally has not had any issues. He said that he has not been able to get a response from Via on the concerns he has and hopes things can be adjusted.

"It really sounds good in theory," Brockman said.

Another option with SAM on Demand is the ability to reserve a ride ahead of time.

Brockman said that it's a great idea, but he said that he has not been able to use that feature and that it needs to be 24 hours in advance, which is not convenient with him.