CABS, the county's on-demand transit provider, presented a proposed overhaul of its fare tiers and received approval from the Kosciusko County Commissioners to enter a public comment phase. The provider said inflation, fuel and maintenance costs make a fare adjustment necessary to sustain service.

Kristen Gibbs, a CABS representative, said, "we are looking to enter, like, a public comment phase and proposing a modest fare increase, hopefully effective September 1." Gibbs proposed restructuring the current three-tier distance model to a 0to8-mile, 9to16-mile and 17-plus-mile structure with proposed fares of $3.04 and $5 for the upper tiers; she said common county destinations such as Atwood, Pearson and Leesburg would remain in lower tiers.

Gibbs told commissioners that fare revenue is treated as "contra revenue" under the Section 5311 program, meaning fares reduce federal reimbursement requests but do not count toward local match. She said CABS will introduce a discounted multi-ride bus pass and keep a planned deviated fixed route within the city of Warsaw at $1 per ride. CABS scheduled a public forum for July 15, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cardinal Services and plans a six-month review after implementation.

Why it matters: CABS serves county residents who lack alternative transportation; the fare change is intended to improve long-term operational stability while minimizing effects on common local trips.

Decision vs. discussion: Commissioners voted to accept the request to proceed with public comment and the proposed restructuring; implementation details and the public comment process will follow.