WACF Grant Helps Community Transit Secure New Bus for Watertown Riders

The Watertown Area Community Foundation (WACF) has awarded a $22,565 grant to Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton, Inc., ensuring the purchase of a much-needed new bus to serve the Watertown area.

Each year, Community Transit must secure local funding to qualify for federal support, with new vehicle purchases requiring a 20 percent local match. This grant from WACF fully covers that requirement, effectively funding a new bus that will provide reliable transportation for transit riders. This is the second bus WACF has provided matching funds for in the past two years.

Community Transit plays a vital role in the community, offering 83,614 rides across its 15-county service area in Fiscal Year 2024—an increase of nearly 13,000 rides compared to the previous year. Demand continues to grow, with Fiscal Year 2025 already tracking more than 1,000 rides ahead of last year.

The nonprofit, which operates under federal guidelines, serves a diverse range of community members, including seniors, students (from preschool to post-secondary), employees, and those needing transportation to healthcare appointments, nutritional outings, shopping ventures, and recreational events. In Fiscal Year 2024, 39 percent of rides provided in the Watertown area were for employment, 27 percent for education, and 23 percent for medical-related appointments. The organization currently operates 65 vehicles, including buses, vans, SUVs, and cars with most being handicap-accessible. Drivers undergo extensive training ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for all riders.

“Reliable transportation is critical to the well-being and success of all in our community,” said Cammie Mengwasser, WACF Executive Director. “We are proud to support Community Transit in their mission to provide affordable and accessible rides to those who need them most.”

The new bus is expected to serve the community for at least 10 years or 200,000 miles, helping to sustain and expand access to transportation for local residents.

Pictured left to right: WACF Board Members Joel Vockrodt, Charlie Ewalt, Dr. Jeff Danielsen, Tom Beadnell, Julie Ranum, and Liam Culhane, Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton Inc. Co-Executive Directors Kathy Holman and Terry Hoffman, and WACF Executive Director Cammie Mengwasser.