KCCF Grant Supports New KABS Route

Warsaw, Ind. ─ Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF) has awarded $80,000 to Cardinal Services to help establish Kosciusko Area Bus Service’s (KABS) new fixed route. This grant was made possible by the Lilly Unrestricted Endowment Fund, Community Funds, and The Wood Family Charitable Fund.

The new route began services on Monday, Sept. 8. The grant is helping to pay start-up costs associated with the new service, including new transportation management software, and signage.

The route, feaetured in the map here, is called the Lake City Loop. It includes 16 stops in Warsaw and Winona Lake, stopping at each location once per hour.

Cardinal Services Executive Director Marcie Arndt thanked KCCF for their support of the project, pointing out that expanding KABS services has long been a goal of for the program.

“As our community has grown, so have the transportation needs of people living and working here.” Arndt said. “KABS must be part of the solution, and KCCF has helped make that possible.”

The service is a deviated fixed route, which means it follows a schedule with designated stops, while also offering limited off-route pick-ups/drop-offs by advance request. The deviations are meant to assist those who are near a bus stop (within one-quarter mile) but cannot get to a stop. The route will accommodate up to one deviation per hour. 

The Lake City Loop will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, For the first two weeks, Sept 8 through Sept.19, customers may ride the Lake City Loop free of charge.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 22, the bus will cost $1 per ride for adults, and any deviation is an additional 50 cents. Children under 8 years old ride free with a limit of two children per fare-paying adult. Monthly passes may be purchased for $20, giving the pass holder unlimited rides for the month. Passes may be purchased at the KABS office at 1804 E. Winona Avenue in Warsaw.