The City of Winona has wisely decided to extend fare suspensions through the end of 2020. Thank you, City of Winona! Additionally, with new contractor Transport3 in charge of operations, evening Dial-a-Ride service is now available!

Read More in the Winona Daily News.

In response to the COVID crisis, the City of Winona has suspended all bus fares for the remainder of the year! Please visit the City’s website for more information and to view the new schedule: https://www.cityofwinona.com/city-services/city-clerks-office/winona-transit-services/

The Winona City Council has moved to suspend transit fares in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the motion passed by the council Monday evening, the move will reduce interactions between transit drivers and riders, as well as lessen the burden on those facing unemployment or simply trying to get to the grocery store.

The suspension begins immediately and is expected to last until Friday, May 8, but the council said its next meeting on May 4 will address whether an extension is needed.

Read more in The Winona Post

Unfortunately, there’s been a setback to the increased service to Winona Transit as the current contractor, Three Rivers Transit, has backed out of their deal with the city. Chris Rogers reports:

Three Rivers Community Action, the Southeast Minnesota nonprofit that runs the city’s transit service, moved on December 31 to terminate its contract with the city of Winona. Three Rivers was about to begin the second year of a five-year contract, but opted to pull out of the deal. Its last day of service will be April 30. City officials announced the news last week and said they are already working to recruit a new contractor that can take over before May 1.

“Winona Bus Company Will Quit,” Winona Post.

The city does not anticipate an interruption of service, but it will delay implementation of the new schedule, which was to have included much-needed evening Dial-a-Ride service.

In a letter to the Post, the Winona Catholic Worker’s Diane Luetgeb Munson replies,

The Winona Catholic Worker community was surprised and disappointed when this service was not available on the date announced…This service is particularly important for members of our community who struggle with homelessness and mobility issues and need transportation to the Warming Center, which does not open until 9 p.m. A number of people are in great need of these additional hours of public transportation because they attend the free evening meal we provide and do not have means to get home or to the Warming Center after the bus stops running…Hopefully this issue can be quickly resolved and extended dial-a-ride can be made available during the coldest months when it is most needed.  

Luetgeb Munson in the Post.

We join Luetgeb Munson and the Catholic Worker Community in calling for a speedy resolution to this problem.

Today, Kansas City became the first major American city to have fare-free public transit.

Read more in 435 Magazine