WILLMAR -- Kandiyohi Area Transit received a larger-than-expected state grant for the construction of its bus transfer station.
Instead of the $75,000 grant that had been earmarked for the project by the Minnesota Department of Transportation's transit division, KAT officials were informed the total grant -- including a local match -- is $130,000.
"We were hopeful it was going to be more," said John Groothuis, KAT transit director. "It's really great for an entity of our size."
Groothuis requested the larger allocation after the price for the brick and glass bus shelter surpassed the original estimate used as the basis for the grant request.
The low-bid construction contract is $112,206. The electrical contract has not yet been awarded.
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Although the official grant total is $130,000, the state is actually providing 80 percent of the money, for a maximum of $104,000. The remaining 20 percent is a local match from KAT.
Under the original $75,000 grant allocation, the state would have provided a maximum of $60,000, for a net difference of $44,000 in state funds between the original and increased grant amounts.
"That's 44 grand that's not coming out of our reserves, said Kevin Halliday, a member of KAT's operations board. "That's good news."
The board met Tuesday to discuss issues but did not officially convene a meeting or take action because there was not a quorum. Seven members are needed for a quorum, and only six members were in attendance.
Halliday said the extra state money could mean the KAT board will eventually consider using reserve funds to pay for additional features, such as security cameras.
Not only would cameras be helpful in protecting the shelter from vandalism, it would also allow KAT dispatchers to see who was waiting at the shelter for a ride, said Groothuis.
The construction contract for the shelter is expected to be finalized and signed Friday, with construction expected to begin shortly afterward.
Groothuis said the shelter is needed for people who will have to wait at the corner of Fourth Street and Becker Avenue Southwest. Having riders transfer from one bus to another at the shelter will help KAT become more efficient in completing routes in Willmar, he said. Having the shelter will ensure that rides are in a safe place out of inclement weather.
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The board also discussed options for continuing to subsidize the RideNet evening taxi service in Willmar.
Groothuis said the private operator, Dale Victor of Care Cab Inc., has reported the current financial arrangement is not financially feasible for him.
The service is currently offered from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Riders pay $3 -- through a voucher system via KAT -- and KAT picks up the remaining $6 fee for each rider.
Victor is requesting that KAT pay the company a flat rate of $22 an hour.
The board members agreed that Victor had not adequately advertised the service and suggested that KAT take over the advertising to try to generate more riders.
RideNet currently provides between one and two rides an hour, primarily for people who work late and do not have transportation. KAT is subsidizing the program to provide service for evening hours when KAT buses do not run.
For more information about the RideNet taxi service, call 1-800-450-6100 or go to ctridenet.org.
