RIDES Warns Storm Lake Council $10,000 Needed to Prevent Service Reductions

RIDES told the Storm Lake City Council it needs a $10,000 city contribution to avert cuts to local demand-response transit, describing a "perfect storm" of funding shortfalls and higher operating costs during a March 2, 2026 presentation to council members at City Hall. RIDES leaders warned that without increased local support, Storm Lake could face reduced hours or fewer service days.

Associate Executive Director Cindy Voss told the council that RIDES provided 815 trips in Storm Lake last fiscal year, with about 90 percent of those trips serving medical appointments, and that all vehicles are paratransit-equipped. RIDES framed the service as often the only transportation option for residents needing clinics, therapy or mental health appointments and said it seeks to preserve a five-day-a-week schedule in the city.

The $10,000 request is an increase from prior city support, the presentation noted. Storm Lake provided $7,500 in Fiscal Year 2025 and $8,000 plus in‑kind support in Fiscal Year 2026, according to council packet materials and RIDES’ remarks. City agenda listings include a file titled "Agreement - RIDES 07012025," and packet extracts show recurring agreements for transit services in the municipal portal.

Councilors reacted cautiously during and after the March 2 presentation. During a budget worksession the night after the presentation, council members said the RIDES talk left key questions unanswered about communication, reliability and public awareness. Council members specifically raised concerns that many residents do not know they can use RIDES for everyday trips such as groceries, and they referenced rider reports of long wait times.

Voss addressed eligibility and regulatory limits during the meeting, saying RIDES is not limited to older adults or people with disabilities — "It's open to anyone in Storm Lake." She also explained why RIDES no longer transports groups of seniors to community events: "Federal rules now classify those trips as charter service, which public transit systems are prohibited from providing."

City staff materials attached to the transit-agreements packet also document a city discount coupon program that reduces one-way fares within city limits by $1.00 for rides on Storm Lake Cab and RIDES. The FY2022-2023 packet shows 320 tickets picked up, $581 submitted for reimbursement, and a budget allocation of 3,000 discounted tickets; the document notes the new tickets are available at City Hall and are valid through June 30, 2024 or until they run out.

Sources do not state whether the Storm Lake City Council voted on the $10,000 request at the March 2 meeting. With RIDES pressing to avoid service reductions and council members pressing for clearer communication and reliability data, the future of a five-day-a-week demand-response schedule in Storm Lake remains uncertain.