Reliable public transportation in Allen County is as essential now as it has ever been.
Jeff Keithly, President of Allen Regional Transit (A.R.T.), attested to this Tuesday morning while giving an overview to county commissioners of the local transportation service’s previous year of operation.
Thrive Allen County launched transportation services in 2020, providing accessible transportation to Allen County residents for their health and wellness needs. This later became known as A.R.T., which garnered its own 501(c)3 non-profit status and became its own organization in 2024.
The service offers rides to in-county destinations or to visit in- or out-of-county doctors, dentists, therapists, social service offices and more. Its service area includes Topeka, Kansas City, Wichita and Joplin.
“In 2023, A.R.T. gave a total of 5,000 rides,” said Keithly. “This increased to 6,702 rides in 2024. That’s an increase of about 34%.” A.R.T. is projected to give more than 7,000 rides this year. “We expect that number to keep increasing,” he said.
Keithly clarified that a ride is defined as a trip from origin to destination. For example, a ride from your house to the grocery store would be considered one ride. A return trip home would be considered a second ride.
Of the 6,702 rides given last year, 78 of them were to take kids to school; 134 were trips to the pharmacy; 318 were taking people to work; and 1,100 were trips to the grocery store. “Our biggest number, which we try to prioritize, was 3,828 rides to doctor’s appointments,” said Keithly.
In September, A.R.T. received a new bus to assist in its services. “We received another brand new bus on Feb. 17,” added Keithly. “That now officially gives us three KDOT vehicles that we have in service in the county.”
County Counsel Bob Johnson asked Keithly if he has an estimate of how many citizens take advantage of the service. “I would say north of 500,” said Keithly. “A lot of people are repeat or return riders.”
A.R.T. serves residents of Allen County regardless of age or income. Riders under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Service hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. To request a ride, call 620-228-0463.
IN OTHER NEWS, Allen County resident Ben Ferguson approached commissioners with a proposition to sell a plot of county-owned land.
Ferguson purchased 802 S. State St. in December 2024. The .55 acre tract of land adjacent to his property — 816 S. State St. — is currently owned by the county. “The only thing it has on it is a little concrete slab,” he said. “My wife and I were wanting to know if there is a way we could purchase that property?” Ferguson explained that he would like to utilize the area for a garden.
Allen County acquired the small piece of land through a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) buyout due to flooding. “You can’t build anything on it,” noted Zoning Director Terry Call. Commissioner John Brocker confirmed this and added that the commission would need to acquire permission from FEMA to sell the land.
“I’m okay with selling it to you as long as we get permission and go through all of the stipulations and guidelines,” said Commissioner Jerry Daniels. Commissioner David Lee expressed concern about selling the land without going through a bid process. “I would be willing to lease it to you for a buck, or something, for a period of time,” said Lee. “So you at least would have the legal right to go on it and grow your garden.”
Commissioners directed Call and Johnson to do more research on the property, bid it out and see if anyone else is interested. “If we go through all of those proper steps, I have no problem selling or leasing it to you,” said Daniels.
