Giving seniors independence through public transportation

Transportation is a vital part of life.

“People who don’t have transportation have to rely on family, friends or their church to get to their appointments and so forth,” said Dale Householder.

Another option is some form of public transportation. 

Years ago there used to be a taxi cab service in Hill City that fulfilled this need. According to Householder, it was very successful. However, the gentleman who ran it had to stop due to health issues and it shut down shortly after that. 

There was a meeting of interested parties about trying to get public transportation in Hill City again in 2021. They did a survey and identified a need for it in the community. Unfortunately, COVID delayed the project. 

Nevertheless, the need remained and Householder along with other members of the senior center receive calls to transport people all the time. 

“We knew there was a need,” said Householder. 

Finally in the spring of 2023, Barb Cline, executive director of Prairie Hills Transit (PHT), contacted Householder asking if there was an interest in rejuvenating public transportation in Hill City. PHT covers most of West River and has a successful track record. In addition, Householder said it is a well organized company and provides a reliable service. 

Another survey was developed and sent out.

“We came back with some very positive results out of the survey,” Householder said.

Afterward, a local advisory committee was formed to continue developing a public transportation plan through PHT. It elected to try a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday transportation service from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Not knowing the extent of the physical needs, the committee also elected to use a handicap van from PHT, which is already available. The van will be kept at city hall when not in use. 

“The bus will be stationed here in Hill City to take people around town,” said Householder. 

This would provide senior citizens or other community members in need of transportation rides to medical appointments at the local clinic, to stores to pick up groceries or supplies, to the Hill City Center for social events or other such things. 

“If the need grows, we can expand the service,” Householder said. 

Although the local PHT van would not go into Rapid City, PHT has another bus that runs from Custer through Hill City to Rapid City twice a month for appointments that community members could utilize. 

PHT could also provide a larger bus for special events like senior center or garden club day trips at an additional cost. 

“So that’s another plus to having them in the community,” said Householder.

In conjunction with PHT reaching out, Meals on Wheels asked if there was interest in doing congregant meals in Hill City again. 

Congregant meals is another service that was introduced around 2021 through a contract with the Hill City Cafe. According to Householder, it worked out well but dropped off due to the pandemic. 

However, “The idea of congregant dining is a real good therapy for senior citizens to get together and socialize,” Householder said. 

With the PHT van, Meals on Wheels and congregant dining could be a reality again on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

“They’re kind of melding together real well,” said Householder. “I think it’s a win-win situation.”

Of course, the PHT van service will require funding to cover the cost. According to Householder, it is close to an 80/20 match between federal and local dollars to run the bus service. 

“Our anticipated costs are around $18,000 a year of needed local funding,” said Householder. 

To help cover this, Householder contacted the Pennington County Council on Aging (PCCA) to see if it could help offset the cost a bus service. 

Although the PHT van is not just for seniors, the survey results indicated that seniors will use the service the most, hence the possibility of funding from the PCCA. 

Along with this anticipated support, funding will need to be approved by the Hill City Common Council. This will be discussed at the budget meeting July 13 at city hall starting at 6 p.m. Some additional funding to cover the remainder of 2023 will be needed as well. 

If all works out, the PHT van will be fully funded, and “We can start around the first of September,” said Householder. “The biggest stumbling block left is finding a driver.” 

This is a paid position through PHT with limited benefits. The driver would be required to operate the van three days a week from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Although it does not require a CDL, the position will likely require some lifting capabilities to assist passengers as necessary. PHT will also provide training on safety features and how to assist seniors. 

“We all feel there’s a need here. So the more complete we can make this community, the happier everybody’s going to be,” Householder said. “I see people not doing things because of transportation. We all have that, ‘I don’t want to impose on somebody else,’ attitude.” 

Nevertheless, the PHT van service would not be imposing. All it would require is a simple call on a toll-free number 24 hours in advance and a minimal charge. 

In addition, it gives seniors back a sense of independence. 

“Independence is really important when you become a senior citizen. It’s just something that is on your mind constantly,” said Householder. “The longer we can keep that going and give them some options, the better the seniors are going to be.”

Householder said the PHT advisory committee would also like to include Keystone in this van service, but there is not a representative from Keystone on the committee at this time. 

The next committee meeting is July 18 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hill City Center. It is open to anyone interested in the project.