Sioux Falls Area Metro Changing Its Saturday Hours of Operation

Shortages continue to be a real struggle for so many different walks of life in society right now, especially when it comes to finding workers.

Here in Sioux Falls, we are not immune to the worker shortage problem. One area business still riding the worker shortage struggle bus is the Sioux Area Metro bus system itself.

As Dakota News Now reports, finding bus drivers remains a problem that continues to plague the entire nation, and one the city of Sioux Falls has really been suffering with since August of 2021.

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Truth be told, the bus diver shortage can actually be traced back even further to the start of the global pandemic in 2020.

Sioux Area Metro General Manager Robert Speeks, told Dakota News Now, “2020 caused drivers that may have been on the verge of retirement to actually retire. I think on the other side of that, there is a level of drivers that go from full-time employment to part-time employment.”

Many bus drivers in Sioux Falls began to bail on Sioux Area Metro due to the public health concerns sweeping the nation during that time, and those bus driver numbers have never fully recovered.

According to Dakota News Now, thanks to the driver shortages, (SAM) has been forced to make a series of hours of operation adjustments. The second such adjustment just went into effect on Saturday.

The changes made as of Saturday are slight, and will only affect crosstown and on-demand services. Both of those (SAM) services have been reduced by three hours as of (May 13).

Speeks told Dakota News Now that fortunately there hasn't been a high volume of complaints regarding the changes (SAM) has been forced to make as a result of the driver shortage.

The biggest change was going from peak-hour service to hourly service. When that change came about, the actual service was not cut, however, the service hours were shortened.

Dakota News Now is reporting that (SAM) is still eight drivers short of being able to return to full service, which would include going back to peak-hour services instead of the current hourly services.

The hope is to be able to restore peak-hour service soon, that is why (SAM) is still very much on the hunt for people who are personable, have a good driving record, and have a desire to drive bus.

If you fit those those categories and are looking for a job opportunity right now Sioux Area Metro would like to speak with you. They offer a number of different incentives like increased pay, great insurance options, and a very high potential for promotions within the company. They will even pick up the tab for your CDL permits and entry-level driver training.

Those interested can learn more by visiting SiouxFalls.org/SAM or by applying in person at the Sioux Area Metro office at 500 East Sixth Street.

Source: Dakota News Now

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.