The Siouxland Regional Transit System (SRTS) was awarded a $9.7 million grant through the Iowa Department of Transportation to fund major improvements to public transportation in Sioux City and Le Mars.
Brian Pearson, the facility and transit director for SIMPCO and SRTS, explained to KLEM what the grant would be used for.
Pearson says that Le Mars and Plymouth County are important parts of the SRTS network.
The new Le Mars facility will feature 16 bus stalls, as well as a conference room, break room, and offices. Expansions at the Sioux City facility that’s also being funded by the grant will provide additional bus storage and two new alternative-fueled buses with charging infrastructure. SRTS currently operates 47 vehicles, but will expand to 53 vehicles once expansion projects are complete.
Pearson says they’ve selected a site for the new facility in Le Mars.
The new facility is expected to be complete by 2028. Pearson also says that expansion into Cherokee County by 2030, Onawa by 2035, and Ida Grove by 2040 is planned.
