The transit service will provide transportation for low-income residents in the village of santee and the general public who currently has no means of transportation to get to their employment

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska $50,000 on July 17, 2026, under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (CFDA 20.509) to retire and replace aging transit vans with two new handicapped-accessible shuttle buses.

The recipient will deploy the new vehicles to provide transportation for low-income residents of the Village of Santee and the general public across a service area spanning Niobrara, Center, Creighton, Bloomfield, Verdigre, Winnetoon, and Crofton in Nebraska, and Springfield, Tyndall, and Yankton in South Dakota. The upgrade addresses reliability and safety concerns with the existing fleet by replacing high-mileage, end-of-life vehicles and improving accessibility for elderly, disabled, and other vulnerable individuals who depend on transit to reach employment, medical facilities, schools, and essential services.

The period of performance extends from the award date through August 30, 2027. Place of performance is Nebraska.

Activities

Funds will be used to retire and replace aging transit vans with two new handicapped-accessible shuttle buses. This upgrade significantly enhances the safety reliability and accessibility of our transit services for tribal members and the broader communityincluding elderly disabled and other vulnerable individuals who depend on transportation for essential medical appointments employment and shopping needs.

Expected outcomes

The transit service will provide transportation for low-income residents in the village of santee and the general public who currently has no means of transportation to get to their employment. Transportation will be provided by the santee sioux nation to such areas as niobrara center creighton bloomfield verdigre winnetoon crofton nebraska and springfield tyndall yankton south dakota. The santee sioux nation transit system will achieve several key outcomes through the replacement of its two aging shuttle buses. Replacing the high-mileage end-of-life vehicles will significantly improve service reliability by reducing breakdowns and ensuring more consistent on-time transportation. With both new vehicles equipped for wheelchair access the system will better accommodate elderly and disabled riders enhancing overall accessibility. The addition of safer more efficient vehicles will also improve passenger safety particularly on the rural and often rough roadways that make up much of the service area. Reliable transit will help sustain community access to essential destinations such as medical facilities workplaces schools and shopping centers. These improvements will particularly benefit low-income elderly disabled and other vulnerable populations who rely heavily on public transportation. Collectively these outcomes will strengthen the long-term sustainability of the tribes transit program and improve the overall quality of life for residents of the santee reservation and surrounding areas.

Intended beneficiaries

The intended beneficiaries will include the santee sioux nation transit personnel and ultimately the transit riders. The system will provide safe reliable and timely transportation services to residents of the community and the surrounding areas.