Elf on the Shelf climbs aboard city buses

Those riding Sioux Area Metro buses in the next week might find themselves with a Christmasy companion.

An Elf on the Shelf has been hiding aboard the buses, and riders who find the elf could take home a little holiday surprise.

The elf will appear on different buses and paratransit vehicles through Dec. 24. When riders spot an elf, they should email a photo of it to [email protected] with their name and contact information. Winners, who will be randomly selected, will receive a $10 gift card to a downtown cafe.

“Inspired by one of our drivers, we wanted to create something lighthearted that brings people together while continuing to build excitement around public transit in Sioux Falls,” said Torin Kalberg, operations manager in Sioux Falls for transit manager Via.

“This program is designed to showcase the magic of transit, and it’s really a testament to our efforts working to make public transit a more enjoyable experience for everyone.”

Via’s figures show a strong year of growth for the transit system, with a 28 percent increase in ridership from October 2024 to October 2025.