Community Transit: Rides For All

By Terry Hoffman, 
Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton, Inc
Co-Executive Director

    We’ve got a secret.
    If you are perusing this article, you are likely from the Britton area or a resident of the county. Marshall County Community Transit (MCT) has been a fixture here for decades, but unless you are a regular patron, MCT is one of the hidden treasures in the city.
    Located near the western edge of the city on US Highway 10, the MCT fleet consists of two accessible minivans, a 12-passenger bus with a lift for accessibility and a 15-passenger bus (non-accessible).
    “We are still secret around here, but we’re trying to change that,” said local coordinator Larry Telkamp. “People think all we offer is transportation for people with disabilities.”
    In reality, public transit projects transport anyone who wishes to ride. They provide rides for educational purposes, medical appointments, employment opportunities, social and recreational outings, shopping and nutritional opportunities. Transportation is also available for out of town service to and from medical appointments. As a part of Community Transit of Watertown-Sisseton, Inc., MCT participates in a grant allowing for free transportation of veterans to and from medical appointments anywhere.
    The current fare for a bus ride in Britton is certainly affordable at one dollar per stop. Because they receive federal dollars from the Department of Transportation, all rides are able to be subsidized. 
    Current days and hours of operation for the Britton area are Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Out of town trips can be booked for Monday through Friday. Those rides are subject to driver and vehicle availability.
    Flexibility and change is a part of public transit. The MCT operation, comprised of Telkamp, Curt Foster, Sharilyn Summers and Russell Marlow recently made significant changes. Educating the public on the virtues of public transit and increasing ridership is the main goal.
    “This group has made a lot of progress in spreading the word about Transit,” Kathy Holman, Co-Executive Director for CTWSI. “We want the people of Britton to  understand how vital public transit is to any community.”
    One change coming to MCT is improvements to the current facility. Construction of an office and restroom in the building are needed. Eighty percent of the construction and engineering costs are provided by grants from the Federal Transportation Administration. The other 20 percent needs to be secured locally by MCT/CTWSI. Those dollars can be derived  through donations from individuals, businesses, city and counties, bus advertising, fund raising activities or grants. 
    Donning his fund-raising hat, Telkamp secured donations totaling $10,000 towards the required local match from the Britton Area Foundation, Horton Industries and First Savings Bank of Britton. 
    “I set a goal of $10,000 when I started this,” said Telkamp, “and the community really stepped up.”
    The additions to the facility are in the planning stages, but need to be completed soon. For details about MCT or questions regarding public transit in general, please call Larry Telkamp at 605-228-0682.