South Dakotans representing different communities across the state face transportation challenges. They voice their experiences at a U.S. Senate field hearing. Senator Tim Johnson hosted the discussion Thursday in Sioux Falls.
The discussion included testimony from Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff.
"From commuters living in Sioux Falls, to working families, seniors, veterans and on tribal lands," Rogoff says. "That’s why FTA has sent millions of taxpayers dollars back to this state to modernize, repair and enhance transit service, or to the grocery store."
Rogoff says several South Dakota communities recently received grants for transit services and millions more dollars are on the way. That's encouraging news for coordinators across the state.
Six people representing various South Dakota communities enlightened state and federal officials of their perspectives on public transit in low population density areas.
One of those is Emma Featherman-Sam. She coordinates Oglala Sioux Transit, which serves people on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Featherman-Sam says the transit vehicles average 1,800 miles every day.
"There are 35 stops across our reservation that provide the general public with access to college courses, employment, medical appointments, business and shopping services on the reservation," Featherman-Sam says.
Featherman-Sam says public transit improves the quality of life for people in Indian Country.
A woman who utilizes public transit in South Dakota's largest city says the service is her salvation. Cosette Fester explains that she uses a wheelchair because a 1997 car crash left her unable to walk. She spent six months in the hospital, and metal rods now support her back and rib cage.
"Before I went back to work, I sat home and cried and felt sorry for poor me. I felt a burden to my family and was unclear of what to do with my life. ParaTransit is more than just a way for me to get to work. It is another way for me to contact and connect," Fester says. "I see so much good in the people who work there as well. I once had a bus driver who wrote a poem for me. My family and I cherish the words of this wise man, my ParaTransit driver. He wrote about how I was defined by me and not my chair."
Fester testifies that the door-to-door pickup and drop-off service in Sioux Falls keeps her productive and independent, despite her disability. Committee Chairman Senator Tim Johnson says he understands her appreciation for simple things like opening doors. Johnson has limited use of his right arm and leg following a bleed in his brain.
Other people represented at the hearing include South Dakota’s children and the state’s aging population. South Dakota’s Transportation Secretary also testified.