Wadena County Commissioners: Discussion around adding a mid-day route to local transportation
by Trinity Gruenberg
The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on July 20.
Mid-Day Route From Wadena To Sebeka
Commissioner Murlyn Kreklau previously discussed adding a route to Sebeka and Menahga with Randy Jahnke, director of the Friendly Rider. Statistically, they have had nearly 1900 riders to Sebeka, prior to the pandemic. Kay Kreklau, Transit Advisory Committee member and grocery store owner in Sebeka, would also like to have this route added, as well as other TAC members.
Jahnke explained the drivers were structured for hourly pick up and drop off. During the pandemic, they switched to on-demand. They are still doing on demand which frees up drivers during the day. The fare would be $4.50 one way.
Commissioner Bill Stearns explained at $64 dollars an hour, it would be an extra $16,640 per year for the mid-day route. And travelers wouldn’t have to wait in Wadena for five hours for a ride back.
Commissioner Jon Kangas would like established routes. He would like to see routes to Park Rapids, Walker and Bemidji.
Kreklau explained having a new route five days a week to begin with would be difficult to maintain.
Jahnke explained that the route wouldn’t affect the levy. Kay Kreklau said she is looking into grants. Her concern is with the closure of the grocery store in Sebeka and their lack of access to healthy food. . .