KABS Gives Free Summer Bus RidesWith the price of gas increasing, it is becoming difficult for people to travel even around town for summer activities.
Kosciusko Area Bus Service for the first time is offering free curb-to-curb city bus rides to residents who live in Warsaw and Winona Lake.
KABS will offer free bus rides Mondays through Fridays beginning Monday and running through Aug. 14.
Gas for the free rides was paid for by Indiana Department of Transportation grants and stimulus funding from the government.
The rides are being offered for passengers attending Warsaw Community Pubic Library, Warsaw Parks Department and Baker Youth Club activities this summer.To reserve a ride, passengers should call KABS at 574-267-4990 Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Passengers will be picked up at their home in Warsaw or Winona Lake, taken to where they need to go, and returned to their home.
Rita Baker, who has served as KABS general manager for eight years, said this is the first year the business has offered free bus rides to events in the community.
"With the economy the way it is, we thought it was important for people to have an opportunity to get where they need to go," Baker said.
Baker said KABS has 11 buses driven by nine bus drivers, and has an excellent safety record with more than 2.5 million accident-free miles.
She said, during the school year, KABS provides between 75 and 90 rides a day for students going to school or a babysitter.
There is not an age limit for passengers who want to use the service.
"The rides give parents a chance for their kids to go someplace without staying at home all of the time, and helps other riders who are unemployed and struggling to make ends meet," Baker said.
Baker said since she has lived in Warsaw, she has noticed the community is supportive and there is a helping hand if someone needs it.
"We're fortunate that we are in the position that we can give back to the community," Baker said.
KABS also is bringing back its free group rides to garage sales that run on Thursdays from June 11 through Aug. 13 from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
Baker said KABS has not offered the free garage sale rides since three to four years ago.
Passengers will be picked up at their homes in Warsaw and Winona Lake, taken to garage sales and then returned home.
"It's a win-win because people who want to go to garage sales can get a free ride, and people who have garage sales can get a whole group of people coming to their sale at a time," Baker said.
She said the business previously charged for rides to the garage sales, but were able to provide rides for free this summer.
Ed Handziak, who has served as a KABS bus driver for more than 14 years, said he hopes the free bus rides will help a lot of people in the community.
"It's important to let people know we are here because we want to serve the public," Handziak said.
