Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Kosciusko Area Bus Service started in 1981 to provide transportation for Cardinal Center.
Over the years, it has grown and now provides complete public transportation to anyone in Warsaw and Winona Lake and morning and evening service throughout the county.
The service costs only $1 ($2 in the county), if arrangements are made 24 hours in advance. Within 24 hours, the cost is $3. The cost is for a one-way ticket and is the same for everyone. The service is point-to-point and curb-to-curb, which means passengers are picked up at their residence and transported to where they want to go.
The service is open to the general public and may be used for any transportation needs. Buses transport people to and from work, children from the babysitter to kindergarten (45-50 children per day) and to summer school, for shopping trips, doctor visits, to visit friends and for any other personal or business needs.
In addition to offering complete public transportation, KABS provides contract bus service for Cardinal Center, Bowen Center, YMCA, Grace College, Grace Village and others. Arrangements for these services are made between KABS and the contractor.
The newest KABS contract is with Medicaid. They received Medicaid certification in January. This contract provides transportation inside and outside Kosciusko County, and may be used by low-income residents or others without a car who need to go to a doctor or hospital either in this area or to other locations, such as Fort Wayne or Indianapolis.
The KABS fleet now includes 14 buses. There are 10 drivers and KABS schedules five drivers at a time. The office, dispatch and other administrative personnel total four, plus one mechanic. The staff is cross-trained, which keeps the number required to a minimum. Mechanic's services are also contracted outside KABS.
KABS is government funded through grant money. Fifty percent comes from the federal government, 25 percent from the state, with a 25 percent local match. The matching money comes from contracted services and private donations. KABS is a division of, but not funded by, Cardinal Center. It remains a nonprofit firm.
Indiana has cut its portion of the funding by $70,000 for 2003, while the number of requested trips is increasing from 73,000 last year to an estimated 93,000 to 95,000 in 2002. Rita Baker, KABS director and general manager, anticipates a $90,000 shortfall for 2003, but plans to make up about half of the shortage through contracts. Baker said, "We don't want to cut service; we know there's a need for it."
Insurance cost increases account for about $20,000, or 30 percent, although many other transportation firms are experiencing an increase of 100-125 percent. KABS increases were kept to a minimum because of their safe driving record. KABS drivers are proud of their accrued 2.5 million miles accident-free. All personnel are required to participate in monthly training as well as an eight-hour training session annually. "We want to continue our safe driving record," said Baker.
One of the goals for this year is to increase ridership. Anyone may ride free next week, Monday through Friday, by requesting the special offering when they call to make arrangements for transportation. Any new riders during that time may receive 10 additional free rides, which may be used anytime by completing a new passenger coupon. Drivers will provide the coupons, and information packets will be mailed to the passengers after the first ride.
Sue Lowman, transportation supervisor, said, "I know it's a clich, but we're here to serve and we want to continue." The employees are customer focused and most information is available in English and Spanish. For more information, or to schedule a ride, call 267-4990.
Lowman added, "If the only obstacle is a ride, we can do that."
