Editor:

The Kosciusko Area Bus Service has provided public transportation in Kosciusko County for 40 years, including 58,000+ rides in 2018. People count on KABS to go to work or school, the doctor, or shopping, and every KABS vehicle is fully accessible, exceeding ADA requirements.

KABS provides a vital link for people who cannot drive. Since the average passenger earns less than $10,000 annually, KABS is proud that it has kept a one-way fare at $1 for most rides for years.

Public transportation is made possible by a mix of federal (50 percent), state (25 percent) and local support (25 percent), which includes Kosciusko County, the City of Warsaw, and Cardinal Services.

Naturally, there are reviews conducted by INDOT, an independent auditor, and other external compliance agencies. Contrary to the accusation made in the Letter to the Editor, KABS is in compliance with its myriad regulations and monitoring bodies.

The need for public transportation in any community exceeds capacity and Kosciusko County is no different. In a typical month, 100 rides are denied. However, KABS offers more service hours than other similar transit systems, a fact verified by INDOT. Productive community dialogue to address unmet transportation needs is always welcome.

Thank you,

Amanda Landis

KABS General Manager