Many activities to highlight public transit week in Kimball

There will be many activities next week to highlight public transit week in Kimball County, according to Kimball County Shuttle Coordinator Erika Loy.

The week starts off on Monday, April 6, with a scavenger hunt. Anyone is able to look for 15 free tickets around town. One lucky winner will receive a free 10 punch ticket to be used during the week. The person who wins the 10 tickets will also be entered into the basket drawing mentioned under the April 8 “spot the bus” promotion.

The Tuesday, April 7 promotion is veteran appreciation day. All veterans, spouses and widowed spouses ride the county shuttle for free.

On Wednesday, April 8, the key is to “spot the bus” around town. Anyone can take a photo of themselves with the bus and text it to the shuttle at 308-235-5333 to be entered into a drawing. You do not need to be a passenger to win. Two gift baskets will also be given away to two people who text a photo with the shuttle. One basket is a health and beauty basket, and the other includes food and drink.

Thursday, April 9, is buddy day. On this day, you may bring a buddy with you to ride on the shuttle.

The final day of the promotion, which is Friday, April 10, is set aside to “stuff the bus.” Bring at least one can food item when you board the bus to donate to the Kimball Food Pantry. Loy said the food pantry is especially in need of dry goods such as pasta, tooth paste, paper towels, tuna and Kleenex.

The shuttle is in operation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a lunch break scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Contact shuttle driver Kelly Durbin at 308-235-5333.

The week to honor public transit was set aside on Feb. 24 when Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation declaring the second week in April, 2015 “Public Transit Week” in the state of Nebraska. On hand to view the signing of the proclamation were Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers (NATP) Executive Director Tiffany Fougeron, NATP Board members and representatives from the Nebraska Department of Roads.

The governor’s proclamation is a special honor for the NATP, whose members strive to enhance the quality and accessibility of public transportation for Nebraska residents statewide. For thousands of Nebraskans, public transit is the single point of access to critical services like medical care, shopping, education and employment; it is through the efforts of supporting organizations like NATP, the Nebraska Department of Roads and transit providers and operators statewide that this resource continues to exist and help Nebraska communities thrive.

The NATP wishes to thank the dozens of transit providers across the state for their untiring efforts, dedication and support throughout the agency’s 29 years. Special recognition is given to the more than 700 transit drivers who work each day to make public transit possible in Nebraska; these professionals are respected and admired for their tireless, and all too often thankless service, without which this invaluable community resource would not be possible.