For Allen County residents who depend on a ride to the doctor, the grocery store or even work, the future of public transportation may soon look different. County commissioners on Tuesday weighed whether to continue operating a federally funded program for seniors and people with disabilities or let Allen Regional Transit (ART) take the wheel.
Commissioners heard from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) on the future of the county’s 5310 transportation program. KDOT Public Transportation Manager Rene Hart told commissioners the federal rules guiding the program make it difficult for counties to continue providing transportation services if a nonprofit organization is willing and able to take them over.
“One of the certifications from the Federal Transit Administration is that we can award funds to a city or county for 5310 only if there is not a nonprofit available to provide the service,” Hart explained. “The reasoning is that nonprofits are already connected to social services and can more effectively and efficiently provide transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities.”
Currently, Allen County serves as the region’s sponsor for 5310 funds, while ART operates under a separate 5311 grant for general public transportation.
ART TRACES its roots to Thrive Allen County, which launched local transportation services in 2020 to help residents access health and wellness needs. The program became a standalone nonprofit in 2024 with its own 501(c)3 status. Today, ART provides rides to destinations within the county as well as out-of-county trips to Topeka, Kansas City, Wichita and Joplin for medical, work, school, and other essential appointments. Service runs 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is open to all county residents regardless of age or income, though riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Demand for the service has grown steadily. ART gave about 5,000 rides in 2023 and 6,702 in 2024 — a 34% increase. It is projected to surpass 7,000 rides by the end of this year. Of last year’s total, 78 were school trips for children, 134 were to pharmacies, 318 were to workplaces, 1,100 were to grocery stores, and 3,828 were to medical appointments.
Jeff Keithly, president of ART, said his group has applied for 5310 funding in recent years but has not received money.
“We get approved for the grant every year just in case the county can’t do it,” Keithly said. “We were basically the backup. We don’t receive any funding because the county is still providing the services.”
KEITHLY said the organization would be ready to take over if commissioners chose to step back. “I know we talked about trying to move around some of the costs that the county has with the 5310 and providing ART with a match for our grant, which I believe is about $4,200 a year,” he said. “If that was something we were able to do, it would save taxpayers a lot of money by letting ART take over the services.”
The county spends roughly $66,000 annually for its current transportation program. A significant portion of the costs — $53,000 — goes toward covering a driver’s full-time salary and KPERS benefits. The rest of the total amount is used for maintenance, fuel, cleaning supplies, permits, fees, and insurance.
Keithly said his organization is working hard to keep fares as low as possible. The current fare is $3 per destination. “We’re hoping to get support from the county so we don’t have to charge for rides if we are granted the 5310 services,” he explained.
In the meantime, ART relies on funding and assistance from other sources, including the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging in Chanute.
Hart noted that talks about transferring service have been ongoing since 2023, when the possibility first came up after a county driver announced plans to retire. In early 2024, ART submitted a proposal to the county that included a $57,000 annual contribution, based on three years of average county costs. At the time, KDOT did not consider ART “available” to take over since its plan depended heavily on county funding.
Now, Hart said, the county will need to decide before the next grant cycle opens in October whether to continue as the provider or to allow ART to assume responsibility.
Commissioners agreed further review is necessary before any decision is made.
IN OTHER NEWS, Humboldt City Manager Cole Herder thanked the commission for assistance with this summer’s chipseal road work. “It went great. I think it’s probably one of the best jobs we’ve had,” Herder said, noting the city completed about 40 blocks. “Our guys spent a lot of time getting ready, and the new equipment made a big difference.”
