Jeff Keithly of Iola is looking forward to the challenge of developing a public transportation program in Allen County.
While it won’t be the first such program in the state, it’s quite unusual for a non-profit entity to run a transportation program for a rural community.
“A challenge is always fun,” he said.
“Getting people to their jobs is the biggest goal for me. If you need a ride to work, we’re going to be able to make that happen and help people make a living.”
Thrive Allen County recently took over the general transportation program from the county. The organization is setting up a separate non-profit, Allen Regional Transit (ART), that will essentially spin off from Thrive with a sole focus on transportation.
The service will offer free rides to just about anywhere in Allen County, not just to work but to doctor’s appointments, court appearances, City Hall or the courthouse, to restaurants, grocery stores, shopping or even just to visit a friend.
Keithly was hired as the transportation director and will run ART.
“Transportation is very different from the non-profit work that we do,” Thrive’s CEO Lisse Regehr said.
Thrive’s focus is mostly on health, and though transportation is related, grants and state regulations for transportation are quite different, she said. Plus, having separate organizations will allow them to pursue more grants and funding opportunities.
“We knew this program would be very good on its own,” Regehr said.
Thrive’s transportation program began on Oct. 3 and runs between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. At some point, hours likely will be adjusted as staff assess the community’s needs.
There is no charge for the service, and no restrictions based on age or income although children younger than 18 need to be accompanied by an adult.
The service actually comes in two parts, but the general public won’t see much difference.
One part of the service is called “safety net transportation.” It provides rides to medical or mental health appointments, court appearances and social service appointments, even those that are out of town such as to places including Kansas City, Topeka, Joplin, Mo., etc.
For example, the service often takes patients to dialysis treatments in Chanute.
