BUSRide Maintenance AUGUST / SEPT 2020 | Page 2

FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF Transit from scratch I hope this letter finds you healthy and safe. This edition of BUSRide Maintenance spotlights Prairie Hills Transit and its use of “smart” suspensions to ensure safe, enjoyable rides for its paratransit passengers. Prairie Hill Transit dates to 1989, originating as a “meals on wheels” program for seniors in rural South Dakota. Founded by Barb Cline with a grant from the state, the program grew from just a single 1979 van in Spearfish into a full-fledged transit agency operating 45 vehicles and serving nine South Dakota counties. Barb tells her story to BUSRide Maintenance and shares the tremendous success her agency has had with suspensions by LiquidSpring. Prairie Hills Transit has become something of a technology pioneer in South Dakota and has helped other state agencies by granting access to demonstrations of new equipment. We hope you find her story not only interesting, but beneficial to your own operation. Thank you for reading BUSRide Maintenance. Richard Tackett CEO / Editor in Chief busride.com VOLUME 10, NUMBER 5 Richard Tackett CEO / Editor in Chief [email protected] Judi Victor Publisher [email protected] Stephen Gamble Art Director [email protected] Mitch Larson Business & Accounting Manager [email protected] Emma Green Assistant Editor [email protected] Kevin Cosgrove Account Executive [email protected] 8 A publication of: AUG-SEPT 2020 | CONTENTS ON THE COVER 8 > Prairie Hills Transit pioneers with LiquidSpring Starting with just one van, Prairie Hills Transit is now the main public transportation provider for nine rural counties in South Dakota 2 | BUSRIDE.COM | AUG / SEPT 2020 DEPARTMENTS 4 > Maintenance Update 12 > Products and Services COLUMNS 2 > EDITOR’S LETTER By Richard Tackett 4742 North 24th Street, STE 345 Phoenix, Arizona 85016 Toll-Free: 800.541.2670 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.busride.com BUSRide Maintenance ™ Magazine is published seven times annually by Power Trade Media, 4742 N. 24th Street, Ste. 345, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Subscription rates for non-qualified subscribers, single issue prices and pricing for reprints of 100 or more are available from: [email protected]. All articles in BUSRide Maintenance ™ Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publisher. Copyright 2020 by Power Trade Media. No advertisement, sponsorship or description or reference to a product or service will be deemed an endorsement by Power Trade Media, and no warranty is made or implied. Information is obtained from sources the editors believe reliable, accurate and timely, but is not guaranteed, and Power Trade Media is not responsible for errors or omissions. Opinions expressed in BUSRide Maintenance ™ Magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsors or advertisers. Content addressing legal, tax and other technical issues is not intended as professional advice and cannot be relied on as such; readers should consult with their own professional advisors.