Jill Schramm/MDN Nicole Beech with Independence, Inc., right, speaks at a transportation information meeting at Minot Public Library Thursday as Haley West of Independence, Inc., listens at left.

Organizations serving people with disabilities in Minot initiated a conversation Thursday as a first step toward potentially solving a transportation dilemma that impacts the entire community.

The closure of Central Cab accentuated the challenges for people who don’t have their own private transportation.

“We want to start the conversation, because if we don’t, it’s going to be an issue,” said Scott Burlingame, executive director with Independence, Inc., which set up the meeting.

“So much of our community just thinks that you can hop in your car and drive to where you want to go every day, and we all work with people who either for legal reasons or medical reasons or cost reasons, that’s not possible for them,” he added. 

Brian Horinka, superintendent of the City of Minot transit system, outlined the existing bus system and mentioned the city’s plans to add two routes in the summer of 2023. One route would take in the new hospital and the other would operate north of the airport and the Ramstad school area. The city also has plans to move its bus hub from Minot Municipal Auditorium to the Renaissance parking structure.

However, there are no plans to expand days or hours beyond the current Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Buses are handicapped accessible and equipped with bike carriers and public Wi-Fi. The city bus also is the most affordable local option.

Souris Basin Transportation provides a scheduled service to and from the rider’s designated destinations at an affordable cost and also travels beyond Minot. However, users say SBT can get booked up or be unable to accommodate a rider if short on drivers.

Horinka noted hiring is an issue. City transit recently filled a half-time bus driver position that had been open for two years.

Minot also is served by Lyft, a service through which private individuals provide rides. Again, a shortage of drivers sometimes puts that service out of reach or creates long wait times for a pickup. Private vehicles typically are not handicapped-accessible, either.

Organization representatives cited cases in which workers have lost their transportation option when Central Cab closed because they no longer have a ride service when they get off work. Another person looking to travel home waited eight hours overnight until SBT opened because there was no other handicapped-accessible service operating.

It was noted at the meeting that a Medicaid waiver program can provide reimbursement for clients using paid transportation for non-medical reasons. Burlingame said there are opportunities there for anyone who wants to offer the service.

Although no solutions were reached at the meeting, Burlingame welcomed the input shared.

Horinka said if the public wants to see expanded bus service, they need to use the service.

“The more people who use it, the more chance we have for adding more,” Horinka said. “The more ridership that we can get in the community, the more opportunities we have to then expand that ridership and show the needs. I apply for federal grants every year, and the more need I can show, the better chance we have of getting additional funding.”

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

North Dakota’s Health and Human Services agency announced Wednesday that the Youthworks facility in Minot has ...

ROSTHERN, Saskatchewan (AP) — The last suspect in a horrific stabbing rampage that killed 10 and wounded 18 in ...

Gov. Doug Burgum and Sen. Kevin Cramer released statements on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s ...

The Minot-area community is invited to Energy Game Day at Minot State University’s First Western Bank Field at ...

BISMARCK — Robert Canham, MD, and Mathew Carpenter, MD, orthopedic surgeons at Sanford Health, will give a ...

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Copyright © Minot Daily News | https://www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-1900