Staff photo by Fritz Busch Brown County Heartland Express received a brand new 2022 gas-powered Ford E450 Super Duty Startrans bus Monday. The bus has 15 passenger seats and room for two wheelchairs and a driver. The bus has a front-mounted digital display and is expected to be put in use pending a Minnesota State Patrol check and installation of a fare box, CB radio and several other items.

NEW ULM — Brown County Heartland Express received a new bus on Monday that was requested in 2020.

The bus won’t be road ready until the Minnesota State Patrol has checked a bus wheelchair mobility lift. Items including a fare box, CB radio will be installed before it is ready to use.

Another Heartland Express bus and a Hermann Express (New Ulm) bus ordered in 2021 have no expected delivery date yet.

Heartland Express is filling out paperwork with help from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), for two electric buses to be used for Hermann Express routes. No timeline has been given on when the buses will arrive.

Commissioners unanimously approved a pair of Brown County Heartland Express applications Tuesday.

Commissioners approved a 2024 ARMER radio upgrade for Heartland Express, motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Scott Windschitl.

A MnDOT technology grant would cover 90% of the $64,000 cost of ARMER radio upgrades. Brown County Heartland/Hermann Express would pay the remaining 10% $6,400) using reserve funds.

Heartland Express’ two-way radios have outlived their useful life cycle, parts are becoming difficult to get and radios don’t have the range for countywide bus service, causing drivers to relay on their cell phones or routing software to reach other drivers.

The State of Minnesota will rank applications and chose grant recipients.

“I think we’ll get a lot of use out of this,” said Commissioner Scott Windschitl.

“I think it’s a really good idea,” said Commissioner Dave Borchert.

An application for a 2024 transit bus was approved by Commissioner Scott Windschitl, seconded by Dave Borchert. The State of Minnesota uses a rating scale to decide what transit systems qualify for bus grants. If Brown County Heartland Express is chosen for a grant, the project will move forward.

Commissioners unanimously approved a three-year Brown County Heartland Express lease amendment for rental space in the Brown County License Bureau building, 1900 Franklin St. North, motion by Borchert, seconded by Tony Berg. Monthly rent will raise about five percent a year to $564 in 2024, $592 in 2025 and $621 in 2026.