New Bus Service Could Roll Into St. Louis Park

A new bus service that could help local seniors appears set to roll into St. Louis Park.

People Responding in Social Ministry, or PRISM, has proposed an expansion of its 27-year-old dial-a-ride program into town. Currently, the program serves nearby communities such as Golden Valley, New Hope and Crystal. The buses, which typically seat 12, pick up riders at their doors and take them to destinations within the service area. Fares are $2.50 one-way and $5 round-trip, though they're scheduled to increase to $3 and $6, respectively, on Sept. 7.

During a July 25 City Council study session, council members voiced support for the program. PRISM’s dial-a-ride is unique from other similar services—such as Metro Mobility, which is only for people with certain medical conditions—in that there are no restrictions or qualifications on who rides the bus.

Courtney Whited, who is director of the PRISM bus service, said though the service is open to anyone, riders are generally senior citizens that need some type of assistance and often can no longer drive. She said she would expect St. Louis Park ridership to be similar.

PRISM has requested $10,000 from the city to help fund a six-month start-up period, which would start on Sept. 1. During that period, ridership figures would be tracked and the city would determine if the program is a good fit going forward. Whited said she expects about 2,000 St. Louis Park residents to ride the bus during those six months.

Last year, a little more than 78,000 people used the service. That's up from 62,000 in 2009. This year should top both those marks, as a little more than 42,000 riders had hopped on through June.

A City Council vote on the funding request is scheduled for Aug. 15.