Brandy Bell, transit manager for a tribal provider operating on the Central Peninsula, told the Kenai City Council on Dec. 3 that the service launched the previous day with one combined route between Nikiski and Sterling, stops through Kenai and plans to expand to a two-route system in early 2026.

Bell described vehicle and fare details: four 37-foot Gillig buses with seating for 34 (and capacity for up to 52 standing), ADA boarding ramps, front-mounted bike racks that fit three fat-tire or up to five regular bikes, and a paratransit complementary service for residents within three-quarters of a mile of a stop. Single-ride full fare is $5, day pass $10 and monthly unlimited is $100; children 0–4 ride free and half fares are available for youth (5–17), Medicare cardholders, veterans and elders aged 55 and older.

Funding was described as two Federal Transit Administration grants to operate the initial routes plus formula funding going forward based on rural transit metrics (rides and miles). Bell said the provider had about three riders on the first day, added that ridership increased the second day, and said the service will publish stop photos and maps to reduce rider confusion. She said outreach has produced roughly 40 calls suggesting stop locations and that the organization has tentative permissions and memoranda of agreement for several stops; negotiations with some property owners (Fred Meyer was cited as declining to host a stop) remain ongoing.

Council members asked about partnership opportunities with local taxi/shuttle providers, parking at stops, and bringing transit to high-demand locations such as the Kenai Mall and hospital; Bell said the transit center has parking and the provider is open to partnering with local providers for first/last-mile needs. The council expressed general support and appreciation for the new service.

The presentation included a short commercial and images; Bell said route and rider-app features (real-time arrival pings via an app called Passio) will roll out as the service ramps up.