Sioux Falls to Offer Free Bus Rides during Bitter Cold

Sioux Falls to Offer Free Bus Rides during Bitter Cold

Mitchell Johnson via Unsplash

An arctic blast of extreme cold weather is prompting officials in Sioux Falls to offer up free transportation to those who need it.

Beginning Wednesday (December 21), Sioux Area Metro (SAM) will be waiving bus fares on all fixed routes in the city.

The free rides will be available through Saturday (December 24).

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The action was prompted by a series of National Weather Service advisories and warnings for the area for the next several days.

Sioux Falls is under a Winter Weather Advisory from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Wednesday, with up to four inches of snow possible.

That then transitions to a Wind Chill Warning from 6:00 PM Wednesday to 12:00 PM Saturday, with wind chills dropping to as low as 45 degrees below zero during that time.

The free rides will be available on fixed routes operating between 5:35 AM to 9:15 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 7:45 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday.

SAM On Demand (available on Saturdays) and Paratransit Service rides are also included in the free fare period.

Bus route information, including schedules, can be found on the SAM website.

Riders can also text 'RIDE' to 888-777 for more information.

The Coldest Temperatures in Sioux Falls History

When a polar vortex rolls through Sioux Falls, it can get even the heartiest dreaming of indoor fires, baking, and hot chocolate.

Mr. Bendo is tough enough but for the love of Pete, someone put a scarf on the Statue of David!

All this icy chatter had us wondering about the coldest days ever recorded in Sioux Falls. Here is the historical data from the National Weather Service with the coldest temps ever recorded in Sioux Falls since record-keeping began in 1893.

Worst Places to Live in South Dakota

A surprising town was named the worst place to live in all of South Dakota and the reason behind it is a bit unexpected.

Money Inc. made a list of the 20 worst cities and towns to live in all of South Dakota and no part of the state is left unmarked.

The list focused on a number of key factors, including crime rate, unemployment, low wages, and school funding.

So which city is the "worst" in South Dakota, according to the article? Read on:

Do You Remember These 10 Crazy Snowstorms In South Dakota?

Here's some news that some South Dakotans prefer not to hear this time of year. Winter is coming. In denial? The dropping temperatures and early snowstorms out west by Deadwood speak for themselves.

Slowly but surely, people of the Sioux Empire are bracing for colder weather and snow-covered roads. Even though snow will soon be gracing the Sioux Empire with its presence, some snow showers will not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlights these ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the roads during the winter. These South Dakotan winters can be harsh, which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

Filed Under: Weather, national weather service, Sioux Area Metro, bus
Categories: Articles, News, Sioux Falls Events, Sioux Falls