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CABS seeks fare restructure; commissioners approve public comment phase and community forum
Summary
CABS (county on-demand transit) proposed revised fare tiers and won commissioners' approval to enter a public-comment period and hold a community forum July 15 at Cardinal Services.
Kristen Gibbs, representing CABS, presented a proposed restructuring of fares for the county’s on‑demand transit service and asked the commissioners to approve entry into a public-comment period. The board approved the request by voice vote.
Gibbs said the agency’s current fare tiers have not changed since 1981 and rising fuel, maintenance and staffing costs have strained operations. She proposed new distance tiers — 0–8 miles, 9–16 miles and 17-plus miles — and described proposed fares for the middle and highest tiers as $3.04 and $5, respectively. The meeting record does not specify the proposed fare for the lowest tier in the transcript excerpt.
Gibbs said CABS studied fully allocated costs, compared fares with neighboring rural transit providers and worked with the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) and the Indiana Department of Transportation. She said fare revenue is treated as contra revenue under the Section 5311 rural transit program and reduces federal reimbursement requests but does not count toward local match.
CABS will host a public forum July 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cardinal Services and plans a six‑month review after implementation. Gibbs said a future deviated fixed route within the city of Warsaw will remain $1 per ride.
Commissioners voiced support during the meeting; several members noted riders and public comments had previously expressed understanding for a modest fare increase. The motion to approve the agency’s request to enter public comment passed by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded.
