With a serious driver shortage, low ridership and rising fuel and insurance costs, Jefferson Lines is cutting back on its daily bus service to Bemidji.
The Minneapolis-based bus company announced Tuesday that it will provide service to Grand Forks, N.D., and points north and Minneapolis and points south on alternating days of the week beginning Jan. 15. Jefferson Lines currently offers the route in both directions daily.
"Hopefully this is short-term," said Wendy Cymbaluk, Jefferson Lines director of marketing and sales, in a telephone interview Tuesday. "We want to continue to serve the area."
Buses will continue to stop at Golden Eagle Transportation in Bemidji. Bus service from Bemidji to Grand Forks and points north will be available Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Bus service from Bemidji to Minneapolis and points south will be available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Dave Mathisen, manager of Golden Eagle Transportation, also said he hopes the cutback will be temporary.
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Jefferson Lines began providing bus service to Bemidji in August 2004 after Greyhound Lines discontinued service along the route.
"And they have done an excellent job," Mathisen said. "But cutting back 50 percent is substantial."
He said he believes the cutback will be an inconvenience to riders who can't adjust their schedules. Some, for example, may have to stay an extra day at their destination before returning home, he said.
He said he believes the highest impact will be on people who ride the bus because they can't drive, such as senior citizens, people with disabilities and college students.
Fred Kaiser, Jefferson Lines regional sales manager, said in a press release Tuesday that, "after providing daily bus service to Bemidji for the past three years," the cutback was a difficult decision for the bus company.
"Increased operating costs from soaring insurance and fuel costs make it necessary for us to look at every mile we operate," he said. "The communities of Crookston, Erskine, McIntosh, Fosston, Bagley, Shevlin, Solway, Bemidji, Cass Lake, Walker and Park Rapids average less than five passengers on each bus per day."
Cymbaluk added that the bus company is facing a serious driver shortage.
Kaiser said Jefferson Lines will continue to study the route and look for areas of possible improvement.
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"Our goal is to ensure that we are able to continue to serve the communities on this route," he said. "While our hope is to provide daily service, the passenger use of the service will need to justify this."
"We'll do our best to accommodate our passengers," Cymbaluk added.
Tickerholders who will be displaced by the change are encouraged to call Golden Eagle Transportation at 751-7600.
