STAFF

TRUE Transit is headquartered in the VINE Adult Community Center located in downtown Mankato, with buses traveling all over Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur Counties. Staff includes the VINE transportation manager, transportation operations supervisor, transportation schedulers, and bus drivers.

TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Transit Advisory Committee is comprised of VINE staff, representatives from the three supporting counties, and other shareholders. This committee meets quarterly to promote and guide the program, and provides feedback and recommends changes to the VINE Faith in Action Board of Directors.

YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS: MEET OUR DRIVERS

DUANE

Duane has been driving people and product around for nearly 50 years.  He started delivering pizza when he was just 18 and then graduated to Pepsi (naturally), but his favorite kind of driving was racing cars for about 21 years.  He has slowed down now to drive for TRUE Transit and enjoys it because he loves talking to people.  When Duane’s not driving for TRUE Transit, you can find him with his grandkids or in a bowling alley.

ROGER

Roger has been a farmer his whole life, but when a little extra income was needed his wife suggested he start driving school bus. After 16 years of driving kids to school he changed to delivering mail.  A few years ago he retired from the post office, but kept busy helping his sons with farming.  Then his wife heard about TRUE Transit over the radio and called to set him up for an interview.  Roger enjoys hearing passenger’s stories and driving around the area he grew up in.  When not on the bus, Roger keeps busy on his farm, tending to the crops and animals and chasing his grandkids around.

MIKE

You may recognize Mike as the guy who took out Perk at Play in basement hockey or as a former teacher in Waterville and the Waseca Prison, but now he drives for TRUE Transit.  Mike grew up riding around Le Sueur County with his dad delivering gas.  When he heard about the opportunity to relive those days with TRUE Transit, he jumped at the chance.  He loves telling stories about the area and talking sports with passengers.

 

 

 

Kyle

Kyle was born and raised in Mankato and enjoys driving the bus because of all the friendly people he gets to meet. When he’s not driving, he keeps busy with his kids.

Kyle Luitjens

TROY

Troy joined the TRUE Transit team in 2020. He has driven a variety of buses and passengers in his career and enjoys getting to know the regular rides on TRUE Transit.

RON

Ron joined the TRUE Transit team in 2019, but has many more years under his belt with transportation and even owned his own traveling coach bus tour operation. When he’s not managing TRUE Transit, he likes to spend time with his grandkids.

KIM

Kim has been driving kids around Waterville for over 20 years and used to be a traveling salesman, covering southern Minnesota and northern Iowa before coming to TRUE Transit in 2021.  Kim enjoys the scenery of the countryside and talking to people on the bus.  When he is not busy spending time with his family, including his 18 grandchildren, Kim likes working in his woodshop and wildflower garden.

RICH

Rich joined the TRUE Transit team in 2020. When he’s not driving passengers around the area, he enjoys traveling around the world.