Friends and Neighbors: County shuttle wins award, provides affordable transportation

No taxi, no problem. Kimball has something even better, not to mention cheaper - the award-winning Kimball County Shuttle.

While attending a new manager training, LouAnn Gawith accepted an award for the biggest increase in ridership throughout the state with more than 10,700 in ridership.

"It isn't due to me, this is because of (longtime driver) Kelly Durbin and (previous manager) Erika Loy," Gawith said. "Kimball is number one of all the transits in the state that were there."

Kimball's handi-bus service has received numerous awards, as Durbin has participated and placed in many handi-bus rodeos throughout the years.

"I've come in second in rodeos, like three times. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride," Durbin quipped.

Durbin also pointed out that wording on this most recent award may have been slightly misleading in that the ridership of more than 10,000 isn't attributed to the number of people using the transportation, but rather the number of stops those riders made. One rider may have made three stops, contributing to a higher ridership number.

"A lot of the ridership increase last year had to do with kids that I take home and then there were daycares last summer that I was taking to the pool regularly," Durbin said.

Funding for the program comes from the county and state along with the federal government, but the riders' fares also offset some of the cost.

Those fares are exceptionally reasonable. Each round trip in Kimball is just $1, with a round trip from Dix is $1.50 and Bushnell round trips are $2.

"Sometimes people just do one-way and we don't split the fee, but either way it is a good deal," Durbin said.

Both Gawith and Durbin wish to expand the program to offer trips out of town and to potentially expand hours of operation, which are currently 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"I try to take lunch from 11:30 to 12:30 each day," Durbin said.

Currently that is not possible because there is just one bus operating in Kimball.

"Everybody assumes it is for the elderly and the handicapped, but it is for everybody," Gawith said. "I really hoping to expand, even one bus will help so much because our area is so small."

Perhaps even more important to both ladies is to get the word out that rides on the shuttle are not just for elderly citizens or those who face disabilities, but rather for everyone.

Some situations in which a citizen might use the bus include catching a ride back to work after dropping your car at the service station or even to the doctor when you are not feeling well enough to take yourself.

"We are there to assist anybody who needs it," Durbin said.

"And she carries in your groceries," Gawith added. "We do, so many people need help with that and it is just one of those things you do. When you give them a ride you help them out."

Awareness of the program may have increased after participating in the Farmer's Day parade in 2013, Durbin said, but more people need to know.

The bus is equipped with a lift, for use by those in wheelchairs as well as those who have difficulty with stairs, and there is a secure spot for wheelchairs with straps, according to Gawith.

However, that lift has been a source of concern for some time and even broke down for awhile.

Safety is a priority for the program, so each seat is fitted with a seat belt and booster seats are provided for children riding the bus.

"We've had some problems with the lift, but it's working now," Durbin said. "I'm looking forward to the new bus, which we are expecting anytime."

Gawith spoke of a rider who also uses the shuttle as a way to socialize. She added that they love seeing their regular riders and meeting new ones, too.

"The first rider is at nine. He is a fellow who goes out to coffee and he spend about an hour and a half out there, talking with friends and having coffee," Gawith said. "He looks so forward to that and then he likes to ride along for awhile."