TRUE Transit is headquartered at the VINE Adult Community Center in Mankato, with buses positioned in the counties of Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur to provide more efficient coverage. Staff includes the VINE transportation manager, transportation operations supervisor, transportation schedulers, and bus drivers.
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.
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.
Mark worked most of his life for CenterPoint Energy, then decided to share his energy with others, by volunteering with VINE as a driver. After several years of transporting older adults to doctor appointments and grocery stores, he’s now moving to public transportation with TRUE Transit, giving him a wider variety of people to meet and converse with, which is his favorite part of driving.
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.
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.
Todd started his career in the landscaping business, then in 2012 he started driving a school bus, coach bus and volunteering to drive older adults to their medical appointments. He joined TRUE Transit in 2017, as the Operations Supervisor and although he spends most of his time behind a desk now, he enjoys the opportunity to get out and drive the bus because he finds it relaxing. On weekends, you’ll find Todd exploring the great outdoors with his son or working on his house.
Doug started driving a school bus in 2008. He liked getting to know the students and they liked him too; they would even leave him nice notes on the bus thanking him for the ride. He liked the opportunity to help people get where they needed to go. When not driving the TRUE Transit bus, you’ll probably find Doug volunteering somewhere in the community, because that’s what he likes doing most, helping others.
