The availability of public transit in rural areas depends not just on need but on public support. The fine balancing act of offering enough transit services while staying fiscally viable is a delicate strategy of any rural transit system. Part of the challenge is growing community awareness.
Kendall Area Transit (KAT) vehicles travel daily between Kendall and important destinations in Kane County. Many residents of Kendall County have yet to try the service not do not realize that KAT is truly a public transit system accommodating not just riders with physical limitations, but those traveling to work, shopping, or regularly- scheduled medical appointments.
KAT has 17 vehicles to cover 12 routes spread throughout the day that service more than 100 rides a day from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.. Dispatchers are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to schedule rides in the demand-response method of scheduling. Riders can schedule trips for medical purposes up to two weeks in advance, but no less than two business days in advance of need, and schedule non-medical trips two to seven business days in advance.
Founded March 22, 2010, by the Kendall County Board, and local municipalities, KAT is operated by Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois, a non-profit agency, to provide reliable general transportation, para-transit services, and medical transport services for residents of Kendall County to locations throughout Kendall County and to medical and health-based offices outside of Kendall County.
“I credit Kendall County for initiating the service and the great partnership that has resulted,” said Ellen Rogers, executive director of Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois, the non-profit operators of KAT.
“As the grantee for the State and Federal dollars that help fund the service, the Kendall County administration and Board are active in their oversight, helping to ensure the high-quality service so deserving of the residents of Kendall County. The combined efforts of the County of Kendall and the municipalities of the City of Joliet, Village of Millbrook, Village of Montgomery, Village of Newark, Village of Oswego, City of Plano, Village of Plainfield, Village of Plattville, City of Sandwich, and the United City of Yorkville have made that a reality.”
KAT has seen an ever-growing number of riders each year. Destinations include employment, medical offices, groceries, social service agencies, schools, public libraries, youth and senior programs, and food pantries.
“During COVID, we saw a decrease in ridership and several drivers retired,” said Diannaha Thompson, program manager. “As COVID restrictions began to loosen, our ridership has increased, and we have worked to replenish the KAT workforce. KAT is a collaborative effort of your local governments. “We are a nonprofit agency that relies on government funding, federal and state assistance, and local support to keep running,” she added.
One of the unique aspects of KAT is its ability to travel out of Kendall County boundaries allowing for travel to major medical centers nearby. Fares start at $3/one way for in-County travel and $5/one way for trips out-of-County. Seniors receive $1 off all fares. KAT’s new fare card system allows the rider to load any amount on to their fare card. Riders can purchase fare cards or reload fare cards on all KAT vehicles or through the KAT office.
When KAT began the need for transit to places of business throughout the County was tantamount, but now, the demand is growing for weekend transit. KAT is studying how to offer limited hours on Saturday to assist riders, and thankful for the support of riders and local government. Having alternative transportation options and reliable service is something we all can all support.
Barb Nadeau is the community relations manager for the Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois, representing five counties. Barb has worked many years as a professional television and radio host, as well as a print and social media journalist, and as a Volunteer Coordination professional, networking amongst non-profit social service agencies throughout the State of Illinois. She is a freelance writer and an elected alderman in the City of Plano. Contact Barb at bvnadeau@gmail.com.