Nebraska’s first-ever Public Transit Week will officially kick off on April 6.
But Seward County’s celebration will start a little early on April 1.
“We have so many activities we decided to kick it off early,” said Jeff Baker, Seward County’s Veterans Service Officer.
Baker, who also heads Seward County Public Transportation and is on the board for Nebraska Public Transportation Providers, said this was a state-wide effort to bring attention to the importance of public transportation.
On March 18, Gov. Pete Ricketts proclaimed April 6-10 as Public Transit Week. Then, on March 24, the Seward County commissioners also made a proclamation to the same effect.
Public Transit Week aims to thank public transportation providers across the state and the more than 830 employees that help Nebraskans get where they need to be, according to a press release from Seward County Public Transportation.
“Transportation is more than getting someone from point A to point B,” Baker said.
Baker said public transportation allows people living in rural areas to go to the store to get necessary items, like medications. He also said bringing people into towns is good for economic development.
“Our number one goal is to improve the quality of life of the people who utilize our program,” Baker said.
Public Transit Week will start on April 1 at the Memorial Health Care System’s Health Fair, Baker said. Afterwards, there will be a “Stuff the Bus” event at Walmart, with donations going to Blue Valley Community Action.
Throughout the week, Seward County Public Transportation will bring cake to the senior centers in Milford, Seward and Utica, and will host the Easter Bunny at the Plum Creek Park Soccer Fields with an Easter egg hunt.
On April 7, root beer floats will be available at Greene Place along with polka music.
Baker said Seward County Public Transit will close out the week with burgers and hot dogs at Pac ‘N’ Save in Seward.
Seward’s public transportation system not only moves people around the county, it also transports veterans to make sure they are getting quality care, Baker said.
He added that the importance of these efforts has been recognized by both Seward County residents and the Seward County government.
“We’re very lucky here in Seward County to have the support that we do,” Baker said.
