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Otter Express exploring expansion

Staff with Transit Alternatives say they’ll use increased funding from the state to expand service on the Otter Express — and they want your input.

The expansion comes as a result of a 20 percent funding increase from the Department of Transportation, said Daryn Toso, administrative transit coordinator. Transit Alternatives will use that additional $116,000 to serve communities along Highway 210 — namely Battle Lake, Dalton, Clitherall, Henning and Underwood and Dalton.

“One thing we’d like to do if the demand is there is a commuter route (to Fergus Falls) in the morning and a commuter route in the afternoon,” Toso said. “All of this is really going to be based on demand. We want to provide as much service as possible.”

That service could also include daytime rides to and from Fergus for errands like shopping trips and medical appointments, Toso said. Transit Alternatives would determine set daytime schedules so people could plan their appointments around bus service if needed.

In order to gauge demand, Transit Alternatives is surveying business people, county employees and other members of the Fergus Falls workforce on their transportation needs. It has also held informational meetings in communities along the 210 corridor, including one in Henning last week that attracted 50-plus people.

Feedback from potential riders is important because it not only determines routes in the near future, but gives Transit Alternatives ground to stand on in asking for more funding from MnDOT next year, Toso said.

The ultimate goal, Toso said, is to run the Otter Express county-wide. Buses currently serve Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, Parkers Prairie and Perham, but have yet to reach Ottertail and other central communities. Part of the additional MnDOT funds will be used to expand service between Perham and New York Mills, Toso said.

Anyone wanting to voice an opinion on bus routes can call Transit Alternatives toll free at 866-998-3002.

“We want to hear from people,” Toso said. “If we don’t serve you, tell us.”

The plan, said Productive Alternatives President Steve Skauge, is to organize feedback from residents and figure out busing logistics during the month of April.

“That’s our goal, by around the first of May, (to) be able to offer the kind of service that will be most effective,” Skauge said.

At this point, Transit Alternatives does not know how much money it will have available to put towards a commuter route to Fargo/Moorhead, Skauge said. Development of that route, organized in conjunction with Clay County Rural Transit, will depend on demand for service within Otter Tail County, he said.

Transit Alternatives, which marked its first anniversary in August, offers rides within Fergus Falls for $1.50 each way. Assuming a 210 route is established, one-way rides to Fergus would cost $2.50 from Underwood, $3 from Battle Lake and $3.50 from Henning.