Bus service in Superior has long been provided by the Duluth Transit Authority, a streamlined operation serving both cities that’s made good sense geographically. With that goal of running it as efficiently as possible, a Better Bus Blueprint plan was undertaken three years ago, re-evaluating all the routes to increase ridership. But one result was the elimination of some services in Superior.
“The Better Bus Blueprint helped citizens in Superior be able to get to and from work, especially with evening bus service,” said Superior City Councilor Mike Herrick. “However, because of costs, Billings Park, South Superior, and parts of the East End were eliminated from bus service altogether.”
The service cut affected areas that were particularly dependent on transit, Herrick said, including a public housing development. After making a case for assistance to the state officials last year, the city leaders joined with the DTA to determine the cost of the service, ultimately deciding it could be borne by Superior, with $20,000 to cover a new route serving the disenfranchised areas. Herrick spoke with WPR’s Robin Washington on “Morning Edition” about the new service, part of which will begin in March.
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The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Robin Washington: We spoke almost a year ago after your appeal to the state at Superior Days last year. Did that funding come through?
Mike Herrick: Right now, it’s all coming from Superior. We found out that we were able to add more money to the budget than what the actual cost of service is.
RW: The DTA has issued a map showing two routes. The existing Route 110 comes from the Duluth Transit Center to Superior, where it runs primarily north and south along Hammond, Catlin and Tower avenues. The new Route 211 will go east and west, between Billings Park and the East end. Both routes meet up on Belknap. When will the new service start?
MH: We’re looking at possibly starting the service in March in Billings Park, and South Superior maybe more towards spring and summer.
RW: Is this something that will be permanent or is this year-by-year?
MH: We’re optimistic that it will continue. One thing that would help is more support of the buses in the area. There is an area with housing and public housing on the west side of Billings Park that definitely relies on the bus. There’s a lot of need for it there. And the more it’s used, the more income that will be available to continue the service. But right now, there has been no discussion about this being a trial period.
If you have an idea about something in northern Wisconsin you think we should talk about on Morning Edition — including an opposing view on this subject — send it to us at northern@wpr.org.
