Clarion Area Transit – same service, now under Wright County Transit

The Clarion Area Transit, or CAT Van, usually makes about 40 stops a day for locals in need of a ride. Confusion about the service going back to Wright County Transit has caused some of those regular riders to worry the service won’t be the same. The van will operate at the same times with the same rates—the only difference is that now the service will be contracted directly with Wright County and not subcontracted to the city.

Courtney Stewart, transit director for Wright County, said that Clarion Transit had worked with Wright County when the city was short a driver earlier this spring, and it had worked out well. “Because of the cost savings, the City of Clarion decided to hand that over,” she said.

“I have looked at some options over the last year and Clarion, Eagle Grove and Wright County are the only Transit Systems that are not operated by MIDAS in all of the 61 communities and counties within their territory,” Dustin Rief, administrator for the City of Clarion, said. “I think the service is a great service and feel that Wright County will continue to provide the same service to the residents that we have provided. Also, I felt it was in the best interest of the City to relinquish the operations back to Wright County at this point in time.”

For the full story, see the June 23 edition of the Monitor.