FAQ's

Kidder County Transit provides public transportation for all people. You do not need to meet any qualifications or requirements to use the system. Children, adults, and seniors can all access the vans and buses. Common destinations include medical facilities, schools, work sites, banks, grocery stores, beauty salons, shopping centers, restaurants, and government offices. People also use Kidder County Transit to get to daycare, recreational activities, and social events.

The transit system operates on different schedules depending on the location. For specific times, please check the county where you are interested in scheduling a ride. Office hours at Kidder Emmons Senior Services in Steele are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.  Kidder County Transit is closed for New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

For information on bus routes and demand-response service, click on the county map where you would like the transit service to originate. Kidder County Transit provides transit services within communities and from smaller towns to larger cities.

To schedule a ride, call dispatch or your driver to reserve your ride.

Plan ahead and schedule your ride as far in advance as possible. When you call to schedule your ride, you will need to give the driver or dispatcher your date of travel, the number of people going, pickup location, desired pickup time, destination, appointment time (if appropriate), if you are in a wheelchair or other mobility device or need a vehicle that is accessible by lift or ramp, and if you will need multiple stops.

Using the transit system to travel from one single location to another single location is called a one-way ride. If travel to a destination and require a ride home or to be to be taken another location, it is called a round trip. When you schedule your ride, be sure to tell the dispatcher or driver if you are planning multiple stops, so that all of your rides are accounted for in the scheduling.

Bus rides may be scheduled up to 30 days in advance. Call to schedule your ride for the long-distance, city to city routes by noon the day before the trip is scheduled. Same-day ride requests within communities may be accommodated if possible, but it is best to make reservations for the bus at least 24 hours in advance or as early as possible.

The ability to schedule a ride is subject rides that have already been scheduled. Certain times of the day, days of the week, or times of the month may be busier than others. The further in advance you are able to reserve your ride, the more apt you are to reserve the time that works best for you.

You must schedule your ride in advance. The driver will arrive at your specified pickup location at the agreed-upon time and take you to your scheduled destination. Be ready to board the bus 10 minutes prior to your scheduled pickup time.

When you make your doctor's appointment or other scheduled appointment, ask how long the appointment is expected to last. That way you can give the dispatcher or driver an idea of when you may need to be picked up. However, your return ride will not be scheduled until you call the driver or dispatcher to say that you are ready to be picked up. The driver will then fit you into the schedule as soon as it is possible to do so.

If you have any concerns about riding the bus for the first time, let the dispatcher or driver know when you schedule your ride. We will do everything possible to assist you and help you feel comfortable and secure.

Standing orders are consistent ride requests for the same times of specific days of the week. For example, your pickup times for every Monday must be at the same time in order to qualify as a standing order. However, the pickup time for a Tuesday standing order can be different from the Monday standing order as long as all Tuesdays are the same from week to week.

Agencies that have a contract with Kidder Emmons Senior Services do not need to call a dispatcher to schedule rides if the contract specifies the days and times the bus will arrive at the pickup location. Some contracts may still require the agencies to call and schedule a ride if times or locations vary from time to time.

The cost of a one-way or round-trip transit ride varies by location. Contact the driver for more information

Bus fares are generally paid to the bus driver when you board the bus. If a person has a payee and prior arrangements have been made with the central office in Steele, you may be able to have your rides tracked and billed. For more information, please contact the Director at (701) 475-2708.

Please contact the dispatcher or driver as soon as you become aware of the need to cancel your ride. If you do not cancel, you may be charged for the ride. Repeated "no shows" may result in a suspension of your bus riding privileges.

The phrase "pickup window" describes the amount of time before or after your scheduled pickup time that you can expect the bus to arrive to pick you up. Many things can affect the driver's ability to control the exact time of arrival at any particular destination (i.e., traffic, weather, passenger loading times, etc.). The pickup window helps account for these uncontrollable variables and provides the transit system with some flexibility, allowing it to transport more passengers as efficiently as possible. The pickup window also establishes customer expectations so that the bus is neither early nor late when it arrives within the established pickup interval.

Kidder County Transit operates on a plus or minus 10 minute pickup window, meaning that you should be ready to board the bus at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled pickup time. Also, you should expect the bus to arrive no later than 10 minutes after your scheduled pickup time.

It is important to distinguish the difference between open seats on a bus and open slots in a bus schedule. It is rare that every seat on a bus is filled, but it is common for the schedule to be full. Buses are only able to make a certain number of stops in any given hour. To get everyone where they need to go, there are limits to how many people we can schedule on the bus at the same time without making the bus ride unacceptably inconvenient for passengers. We try to minimize the amount of time passengers need to ride on the bus while other people are being picked up and dropped off at their designated locations.

With contracted rides or at certain times during the day, many or all of the seats may be taken on the bus. The transit agency has to plan for the maximum number of passengers it may need to transport at any given time.

For questions about items you can or cannot bring on the bus in addition to those listed below, contact the central office, dispatcher, or driver prior to getting on the bus.

Mobility Devices and Wheelchairs – We have buses and vans that are accessible for people who use mobility devices. When you call to reserve your ride, please tell the dispatcher or driver if you use a mobility device such as a walker, manual wheelchair, motorized wheelchair, scooter, etc., and if you will need a lift or ramp to enter the vehicle. 

All mobility devices must be secured within the vehicle by the driver. Our drivers have all received training in handling mobility devices and securing them properly.

Oxygen Tanks – Portable oxygen tanks are allowed on the vehicle but must be secured by the driver. Please let the dispatcher or driver know when you schedule your ride if you will be bringing a portable oxygen tank on board.

Car Seats – If you are bringing small children or infants with you on the bus, you must bring car seats for them to use. You must restrain the car seat using the seat belts provided in the vehicle. The driver will not be responsible for restraining the car seat.

Strollers – Children must be removed from strollers. Strollers must be able to be collapsed and fit between the seats or secured by the driver. Strollers may not be placed in the aisle or next to the wheelchair lift.

Food and Drink – Food is not allowed on the vehicle. Beverages must be in a sealable container. Take all garbage and waste products with them when they get off the bus.

Pets (not Service Animals) – Pets are only allowed on the bus if prior arrangements have been made with the central office, dispatcher or driver. All pets must be in approved pet carriers and must fit on your lap or on the seat next to you. Pet carriers are not allowed in the aisle or in the wheelchair lift area. You will be solely responsible for loading and unloading the pet carrier.

Service Animals – Service animals are permitted to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and facilities operated by Kidder County Transit. The rider may be refused transportation services if the service animal is not under the control of the person with the disability or if it is threatening the safety of others.

Cell Phones – While the use of cell phones is permitted on the bus, we ask that passengers please be considerate of the other riders. Loud talking that disturbs other passengers may result in a driver asking the offending passenger to restrain from using their cell phone.

Kidder County Transit provides door to door service for passengers needing this assistance. Please let the dispatcher or driver know if you will require this assistance. Reasonable modifications will be made to accommodate individuals with special needs.

Attendants traveling with passengers who are frail may travel at no charge. The escort must get on the vehicle at the same location as the passenger and get off the vehicle at the same destination as the passenger. When you schedule your ride, let the dispatcher or driver know that you will have an escort accompanying you.

All passengers riding in a van or bus are required by federal regulation to use the seat belts provided. All passengers are to wear seat belts at all times while riding in our vehicles.

The buses and vans used by Kidder Emmons Senior Services do not have restroom facilities. Please use restrooms prior to boarding the bus. On long-distance trips, drivers may stop at a rest area if necessary. Please let your driver know if you need to make a stop on a long-distance trip. This service is not available for in-town service.

Drivers and staff members are not allowed to accept gifts or tips. It is our staff's job to provide you with excellent customer service. If you feel it is necessary to show your appreciation, you are welcome and encouraged to make a donation to our transit agency in honor of a particular employee or the transit system.

Kidder County Transit makes every attempt to provide service during scheduled hours. When extreme weather conditions make travel unsafe, we reserve the right to discontinue services until conditions are safe. In case of severe weather, every effort will be made to get all passengers returned to their homes as quickly as possible.

Kidder Emmons Senior Services uses local radio station (Bismarck KFYR AM 550) to broadcast closures due to dangerous weather conditions or other emergencies (e.g., flooding). Check your local stations for announcements when severe weather is in your area. If you are a dialysis patient and need to get to your appointment, we recognize that this is a life sustaining necessity, and every possible effort will be made to ensure that you are able to receive your necessary treatment.

Kidder Emmons Senior Services has empowered its drivers to refuse service to any passenger who is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and may be dangerous or disruptive.  Drivers also have the right to remove people from the bus who are belligerent, rude, or refuse to follow agency policies or directions given by the driver. If the driver believes a passenger poses a safety or health threat to themselves or others, the driver may contact dispatch or the police for assistance.  Passengers are not allowed to carry weapons on the vehicle. If a person has unreasonable personal hygiene, the agency director or transit coordinator may discuss the issue with the passenger and discuss corrective action that needs to be taken in order to continue riding the bus.

Kidder Emmons Senior Services encourages those with concerns or complaints to contact the agency director or transit coordinator. Please be prepared to be as specific as possible about the concern or event. We follow up on all concerns. You may call the central office directly at (701) 475-2708 or submit a complaint in writing to the director at Kidder Emmons Senior Services, 202 1st Ave NW, Steele, ND  58482.  You may also make an appointment with the director to visit in person. All comments and complaints will be handled in a timely and efficient manner. 

Suggestions for improvements to our transit program are always appreciated. We encourage your comments and recommendations. If you have received superior service, we also encourage you to let us know so we can pass that information on to our employees as well.