Expansion of public transit in the panhandle was celebrated with an open house and ribbon cutting at the KCTS office in Kimball on July 12.

On July 11, KCTS launched two new extended service lines between Kimball and Scottsbluff, called the Sky Line, and from Kimball to Chappell, called the Sun Line. Both lines have scheduled stops at towns between their beginning and end points. Rides on both lines were free during the month of July so riders could try out the new service.

The Sky Line runs from 6 A.M.-8:30 P.M. Monday-Friday. The Sky Line Express runs 7 days a week from 4:30 A.M.-7:15 A.M. and 4:30 P.M.-7:15 P.M. with limited stops in the early morning and evenings geared toward shift workers and business travelers.

The Sun Line runs 6 A.M.-8:30 P.M. Monday-Friday. The Sun Line Express runs 7 days a week from 4:40 A.M.-7:25 A.M. and 4:40 P.M.-7:10 P.M. with limited stops in the early morning and late afternoon geared for commuters.

Bus schedules and route maps are available at ridekcts.com. Unlimited ride passes for the Sky Line and Sun Line are $10 per day or $50 per month. Passes can be purchased on ridekcts.com or by calling 308-235-0262. Riders can locate a bus stop and board the bus without a reservation.

Each of the new lines can get riders to pick up points for the newer Red Line Airport Shuttle that transports riders between Western Nebraska Regional Airport (BFF) in Scottsbluff and Denver International Airport (DIA) 7 days a week. The fare is $75 each way per person and you may call for discounts for groups of 4 or more in the same party.

KCTS is also planning to launch the Star Line later this year with regular service between Kimball and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The demand for public transit in the region continues to grow and KCTS is committed to ensuring people can get to the services they need to access by partnering with transit agencies in the surrounding communities such as Tri City Roadrunner in Scottsbluff, Stagecoach in Sidney, and Open Plains Transit in Alliance.

Christy Warner, KCTS transit administrator, sees the critical role transit plays in the community and how it impacts the quality of life for residents and provides them access to healthcare, education, food, recreation, and work.

KCTS will continue to offer reserved rides, which provides curb-to curb service. Riders need to contact the office at least 72 hours in advance to get on the schedule.

Leadership from the Kimball County Commissioners, the Nebraska Department of Transportation, the Nebraska Public Transit Mobility Management Team, and the Federal Transit Administration Region VII helped to make all of the new routes possible. KCTS has also received support from corporate sponsors, Kimball Health Services, Clean Harbors, and News Channel Nebraska.

KCTS

Phone: 308-235-0262

Service Area:

• Nebraska Counties: Kimball, Cheyenne, Deuel, Banner, Keith, and Morrill
• Nebraska Cities: Scottsbluff, Kimball, Sidney, Chappell, North Platte, and small towns in-between
• Colorado Cities: Loveland, Fort Collins, Fort Morgan, and Denver
• Wyoming Cities: Pine Bluffs and Cheyenne