NEW ULM — Beginning today, Brown County Heartland Express will start offering free rides to individuals who need to access essential services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These rides will be offered for people who need to get to the grocery store, pharmacy, food shelf, bank or medical appointment.

Only individuals free of any symptoms of illness should ride the bus.

If you need supplies, but are feeling ill, please ask someone else to use this free ride offer to pick up supplies for you.

If you are not accessing essential services, you will still be responsible for providing bus fares for your ride.

This suspended fare service will be offered for until Friday April 24, and reviewed at that time to determine if there is a continued need.

Please call Brown County Heartland Express dispatch office, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at 359-2717 or 1-800-707-2717 to schedule your ride. All ride requests still need to be made at least one business day and up to 14 days in advance of your needed ride.

Heartland Express buses operate in New Ulm, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Buses also operate in Sleepy Eye, Springfield and Comfrey, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. All hours of operation are subject to change depending on demand and bus availability during this public health crisis.

Your flexibility with specific pickup times will be greatly appreciated. Brown County Heartland Express reserves the right to refuse service should we determine an individual is abusing this offer.