“Every ride matters” appears as a banner on the Cedar County Transit vans, and those vans will continue providing public transportation for Cedar and a large portion of Knox County through 2023.
Manager Nikki Pinkelman announced that service contracts were signed with Knox County on December 8 and Cedar County on December 13. Knox County Board of Supervisors voted to pay $2,000/month for service to Knox County based on operating hours within the county. Service in Knox County is for residents who live within a 30-mile radius of the Transit building in Hartington as per Google Maps and includes the communities of Crofton, Bloomfield and Wausa.
In 2022, Cedar County Transit logged 825 boardings to and from destinations for 57 clients in Knox County. Since grant funding ended on December 31, the service no longer offers initial “free rides.”
In addition, as of January 1, 2023, the service is now accepting all three Medicaid companies, and individuals who are presently receiving services through Nebraska DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) may qualify for an age or disability waiver. Questions on this waiver should be directed to Pinkelman at the Transit office.
Cedar County Transit rides are commonly used for transportation to medical and dental appointments, including dialysis, but the service is also used for shopping, visits to family and friends, and transportation to and from airports. Vans will transport passengers up to 200 miles one way which includes the cities of Omaha, Lincoln, Sioux City and Sioux Falls.
Currently, the service operates with 14 vans, seven of which accommodate wheelchairs. In 2022, the number of drivers has increased from 10 to 15.
Nikki Pinkelman serves as manager, overseeing staff, day-to-day operation and vehicle maintenance. Ashley Gowery schedules rides for passengers. Hours of service are Monday through Friday 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Transit does not operate during inclement weather for the safety of both passengers and drivers. During the school year, this policy coincides with school closures.
To schedule a ride or to learn more about Cedar County Transit, call 402-640-6147 during office hours.