Free rides with Hermann Express ending, but passengers say they won’t mind fare
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NEW ULM -- Friday, March 31 is the last day of free rides on Hermann Express, but passengers on the New Ulm fixed route bus service do not seem to mind.
Starting Saturday, April 1 the fee will be $1 per ride for school-aged children and up. The consensus among Thursday's passengers was $1 ride around New Ulm was still a bargain.
When asked for their thoughts on the Hermann Express, the universal comment from passengers was: "I love it."
Hermann Express bus driver Paul Scharbach said for a new service it was popular. He was confident that even with the $1 fare, they would maintain ridership.
"It will change some," he said "but the people will still use it."
Scharbach believes the bus route is a quick and efficient way to move people around town.
Scharbach suspected rider numbers could improve with the warm weather. He thought people might start using the bus later in the day. Hermann Express runs until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Scharbach believed the ridership number might pick up within that last hour.
At least one rider wished the service was extended 7 p.m. Joe Schwerin is a daily rider of Hermann Express. He uses the bus to get to work in the afternoon, but his shift end after 6 p.m. Schwerin appreciates getting the ride one-way and was not overly concerned with the $1 charge.
Most of Wednesday's bus riders said they loved Hermann Express for its convenience. Cheryl Jackson loved being able to board the bus right outside her apartment.
Angie Hacker also said she love the bus and rode it several times a week. Hacker said even with the $1 charge it was convenient to travel around town. She typically took the bus to get groceries. By the time she gets her groceries, the bus has returned after completing another loop. Hacker only wished the bus traveled on Sunday so she could take it to church.
Susie Hoban said she loves using Herman Express and uses it a few times a week. She lives on the south end of New Ulm and takes the bus to the north end to visit her mom. Hoban says she usually only takes it one way because she is an avid walker and doesn't mind the exercise.
Hoban previously lived in other communities with bus routes and she got used to the idea of riding the bus. She felt some people were reluctant to ride the bus, but to her, it makes perfect sense. Hoban admitted the $1 increase would not impact her decision to ride. As a U.S. veteran, she will continue riding the bus for free.
Part of the reason many riders like Hermann Express is the friendly atmosphere. Scharbach and other drivers are on a first-name basis with the regular passengers. Fellow passengers recognized each other and regularly converse on the day's hot topic.
Thursday morning, the riders were discussing cures for a sore throat. Warm lemonade was deemed the best tonic.
Currently, the most popular stops were the grocery stores. Some people also get off near Emerson Union or downtown Minnesota Street to visit the library. New Ulm Medical Center (NUMC) is also popular for people heading to doctor appointments.
The Hermann Express Bus route began operating on Oct. 5, 2022. The city agreed to start the new bus line with free rides in order to get residents to use the service. Originally the bus would be free through the end of 2022, but the city decided to extend the free rides through the end of March.
Whenever a city starts a new bus line, it can take time for a community to adapt to the new service, but Hermann Express has exceeded expectations with higher starting numbers than Marshall's fixed-route bus.
The city budgeted $25,000 for its share of the bus route. Every paying rider will further lower the cost to fund the route.
Saturday, April 1 will be the first day its riders will be charged. The cost is $1 for kindergarten and older. Pre-K kids cost 50 cents, capped at a maximum of two younger than school-aged riders per adult. The free fare will be offered to US Veterans showing identification from the Veterans Service Office. Drivers will not carry change. An exact change is required.
Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday