SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — For the past six months, using public transportation in Sioux Falls has been simplified with an app, more vehicles and a wider coverage area. At the launch back in September, Mayor Paul TenHaken had high hopes for the change.

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. But like anything, there’s always room for improvement. So, what people are really enjoying is one, the coverage. Two, the access to technology,” said TenHaken.

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Public transit users like Caige Patten agree the technology has made travel easier.

“I think it’s pretty easy. You just open it up and it’ll give you all your different bus pass options, and it explains how to use them. I think it’s super convenient,” said public transit user Caige Patten.

TenHaken says that between January of 2024 and January of 2025, ridership increased by 14%. Previously, it had either stayed consistent or decreased.

“We’re actually seeing a bit of an increase in people, what we call choice ridership, where they’re choosing to use transit because it’s become that convenient,” said TenHaken.

TenHaken says they’ve received feedback from many people and they’re constantly working to improve rider experience.

“And for the first time in, you know, two and a half, three decades, we finally changed how we deliver transit. And by all accounts, it’s been a home run. Do we have work to do? Absolutely. We’re not spiking the football, every day is a learning process, and we’re tweaking routes or tweaking processes,” said TenHaken.