Community Transit of Watertown-Sisseton, Inc

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% local match. This grant from WACF fully covers that requirement, effectively funding a new bus that will provide reliable transportation for residents in need. This is the second bus WACF has provided matching funds in two years. WACF and CTWSI have partnered on a variety of events over the years.
Community Transit plays a vital role in the community, providing 83,614 rides in Watertown in 2024 and 192,000 rides across its 15-county service area - 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, veterans, 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% of the rides provided in the Watertown area were for employment, 27% for education and 23 percent for medical related events. Most of the 65 vehicles in CTWSI’s fleet of buses, vans, SUV’s and cars are accessible. Drivers are highly trained, 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 Menggwasser, 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 residents.
CTWSI is headquartered in Watertown with a secondary office in Sisseton. Vehicles are also located in Milbank, Redfield, Lennox, Webster, Groton, Britton, Eureka, Mound City, Herreid, Faulkton and Bowdle.

New Buses for CTWSI

CTWSI recently received four new 14 passenger buses and they are ready to hit the road. Three of the vehicles will remain in Watertown and replace vehicles that outlived their "State of Good Repair" criteria. The fourth vehicle will be operating in Redfield.
The only thing missing from these vehicles is advertising. If you are a business owner searching for an effective alternative method of advertising, please give us a call at 605-882-5287.