KABS Proposes To Restructure And Increase Fares

Kosciusko Area Bus Service (KABS) is proposing to restructure and increase their fares for their on-demand transit service.
General Manager Kristin Rude presented the proposal to the Kosciusko County Commissioners Tuesday.
“As you guys know, we’ve been providing essential transportation in Kosciusko County since 1981. And in that time, our fare structure has remained unchanged. While we’ve worked hard to maintain our quality service with minimal cost adjustments to our riders, rising fuel prices, vehicle maintenence needs, staffing demands and just general inflation have made it increasingly difficult to sustain the service under our current fare model,” she said.
To ensure the continued delivery of safe, reliable and affordable transportation, Rude said they are looking to enter into a public comment phase and proposing a “modest” fare increase, hopefully effective Sept. 1.
KABS’ current fare structure operates on a three-tier system: 0 to 10 miles, 11 to 25 miles and 26-plus miles with $1, $2 and $3 fares, respectively. Rude said very few trips fall into 26-plus miles tier, making it largely ineffective. The proposed revision to the tier structure would be 0 to 8 miles, 9 to 16 and 17-plus miles, with fares being $3, $4 and $5, respectively.
“This updated model would more accurately reflect trip distances and associated costs, while still offering affordable transportation. Under this structure, common destinations like Atwood, Pierceton and Leesburg would still continue to fall in that lower tier, so we feel it’s pretty balanced,” Rude stated.
She said KABS has taken a thorough and responsible approach to the decision. They’ve completed an analysis on it, looking at their fully allocated costs, fare systems from neighboring Section 53-11 Rule transit providers, forecasts of future operational expenses and worked with stakeholders like Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and local partners.
“It’s important to note that our fare revenue under the Section 53-11 program is classified as contra revenue. That means it helps reduce the total amount of requested federal reimbursement, but does not count toward our local match. So while increasing fares won’t solve all of our funding needs, it does reduce relying on those external sources and helps stretch the dollars we do receive,” she said.
The fare change is about more than just the numbers, she continued. “It’s about stability and service for long term, so our goal is to enhance financial and operational stability, support service quality and then also prioritize rider experience. With this fare proposal, we are also looking to introduce a discounted multi-bus pass, which will help relieve some of the burden for passengers with that increase,” she said.
Rude noted KABS’ upcoming deviated fixed route within the city of Warsaw will remain at $1 per ride. More details on that route are to come in the future.
KABS will host another community forum July 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cardinal Services and the public is invited to attend that for more information.
Following implementation, there will be a six-month review to evaluate the impact of the new fare structure.
Commissioners Cary Groninger and Bob Conley said everything they’ve read and heard indicate people understood the need for the fare increase. The commissioners gave their unanimous approval.
In other business, the commissioners approved:
• Paying the invoice for $143,094.60 from Niblock for work on the Chinworth Bridge Trail extension and the invoice for $26,500 from Taylor Siefker Williams for design services for the countywide trails master plan, as requested by Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board Vice President Aggie Sweeney.
• Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Steve Moriarty’s request to apply for a Railroad At Grade Crossing Grant for 38 intersection improvements at the railroad crossings, totaling $39,900.
“This is a program through the state of Indiana that’s 100% reimburseable. The last five years, we’ve gotten this grant and I’d like to apply for it again with your permission,” he said.
• An unofficial detour route for Ind. 13 while it’s closed and under construction by INDOT, as requested by Moriarty.
“With the closing of State Road 13, we would like to have an unofficial detour route, signed and agreed by through the state of Indiana and INDOT, to maintain this unofficial detour route,” he said.
The unofficial detour route goes from County Road 1200 North, south to 500 East/Syracuse-Webster Road, down to 650 North and back out to Ind. 13.
• An amendment to ordinance 23-06-220-002, as requested by Moriarty.
“What this is, this was an ordinance passed that we could do work with our own forces up to $250,000. With the passing of House Bill 1198, they’ve increased that amount to $375,000, also adjusting annually to the percentage changes in the Consumer Pricing Index. So we’d like to adjust our ordinance to reflect the same so we can do work up to $375,000,” he explained.
• A licensing agreement for $2,390, plus an installation fee, with Lieberman Technologies for their LCATS software, as requested by Michelle Hyden and Cheryl McGettrick from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office. Hyden said Lieberman designed a software that is specifically for commissary accounts. The cost for the agreement will be paid out of the sheriff’s commissary account.
• The reappointment of Donald Dewitt to the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District for a four-year term, to expire March 7, 2029.
• A $46,159.32 quote for two Synology boxes from GovConnections Inc., as requested from Kosciusko County Director of Technology Eric Sorensen. He said the boxes do the backup for the county’s primary data.
• A contract renewal for the county employee benefit advisor service agreement, which expired Monday, and the agreement is for the remainder of 2025, as presented by county attorney Ed Ormsby. The contract will automatically renew, but the county will have a 90-day out, if it so chooses.
• A $5,913.43 quote from Johnson Controls for the control part of the VAV (Variable Air Volume) unit and a $6,354 quote from Core Mechanical Services for rebuilding the VAV box, as presented by County Administrator Marsha McSherry. The VAV unit was going bad.
• A resolution adopting the 2025 Kosciusko County Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan, as presented by McSherry.
She said with the help of Moriarty and MACOG, the county has been able to update that plan. There was an amendment. The plan was placed at the library, as required for review, as well as on the county’s website. All the technical changes were made, and the county did not receive any public comments or changes on it.
• A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the commissioners, on behalf of the Kosciusko County Health Department, and Live Well Kosciusko, as requested by Health Department Administrator Bob Weaver.
Weaver said, “This is Health First Indiana money, and I know it’s passed through the channels, and it should. It’s been to the attorney, and we ask for approval of that agreement.”