Cedar, Knox Counties get a look at expanded public transit services

HARTINGTON, NE — A northeast Nebraska community was given the chance to get a new look at expanded transit services in Cedar and Knox Counties on Wednesday.

The grand opening was held at the new Cedar County Transit Building on Highway 84 in Hartington, which now houses a full fleet of vehicles, something Cedar County Clerk Dave Dowling said he never thought possible when he assumed his current position in 1987.

"When I first come into office, we had one 1978 Dodge passenger van with a chairlift attached to the back with one part-time driver," Dowling said. "On a good week, we would probably have two rides."

Cedar County Transit was selected to expand transit services to Cedar County residents and expand 30 miles into Knox County. Cedar County Transit was one of 19 transit agencies selected from 76 applications for the National Transit Grant.

"Providing affordable and readily available public transportation to residents and visitors helps maintain our population, independence to residents in our communities, and allows them to stay in their homes, travel to get groceries, medical appointments and many other destinations," said Cedar County Commissioner Dave McGregor.

The award for $97,800 is meant to fund approximately 12 months of expanded services. The pilot program is officially underway, and the first three rides are free for all new passengers.

"We've got one year to sort of prove the concept of this service and figure out a way to sustain it beyond those 12 months," said Bill Bivin, Statewide Mobility Manager with NDOT.

The Pilot Project Grant received support from several agencies, including Cedar County Commissioners, Knox County Commissioners, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Northeast NE Area Agency on Aging, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton Medical Clinic, NE Statewide Mobility Manager.