County commissioners voted unanimously to approve a new fixed-route transit service for Warsaw and Winona Lake known as the Lake City Loop, a county staff presenter said Tuesday. The route, proposed by CAPS with planning support from the Michiana Area Council of Governments and MDOT, is scheduled to launch this fall and will operate Monday through Friday on an hourly clockwise loop.

The commissioners' approval authorizes CAPS to run the Lake City Loop as a county pass-through entity for Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 funds and affirms compliance and oversight steps required by that funding. "We respectfully request your formal approval to implement this route, the Lake City Loop," the presenter said during the meeting.

The Lake City Loop will stop at 16 designated locations — including Walmart, Kroger and Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital — and will operate as a deviated fixed route: buses will follow a set path but may deviate up to a quarter-mile off route for prescheduled pickups or drop-offs. Fares are set at $1 per boarding with a 50-cent charge for deviations; a $20 unlimited calendar monthly pass will also be offered. Vehicles will be ADA-accessible and equipped with bike racks.

CAPS representatives told commissioners the route is intended to expand mobility for seniors, people with disabilities, students and residents without reliable transportation and to reallocate some on-demand resources to rural areas. Final stop locations will be coordinated with Warsaw and Winona Lake municipal rules and with private property owners where applicable.

Commissioners moved and seconded the approval and recorded a unanimous vote. The presentation noted operational costs are expected to be covered within CAPS’ current Section 5311 grant and that CAPS will continue to pursue additional grant opportunities.