Kerri Taylor, CKCATS Director
It has been a busy year for CKCATS so far. Since January 1, CKCATS’ trip capacity continues to remain over 90%. From January 1 through April 30th, CKCATS vehicles traveled 529,611 miles in 104 days!
The 5310, 5311, and 5339 Grants were submitted by the April 1 deadline. OTD has contacted all agencies about the shortage of 12X2 and 8×2 vehicles requested in Bid#8 and Bid#9. OTD is predicting that the larger vehicles will not be available for at least another 42 months and asking agencies to consider low floor mini vans, which are more readily available. CKCATS plans to request 2 low floor mini vans for each county, along with rehab funding to maintain our current fleet.
OTD announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for approximately $372 million in federal fiscal year 2022 competitive Section 5339(b) grant funding for transit Bus and Bus Facilities. The purpose of the Buses and Bus Facilities Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing, or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing, or leasing bus-related facilities. CKCATS requested funding to purchase expansion vehicles for a Pilot Program that will take individuals to and from work. We hope to break the transportation barrier that some face in gaining employment and remaining employed. We also requested funding to rehabilitate some of our parking lots where we park our fleet.
CKCATS attended the voucher handout for seniors in Meade County. We had a CATS vehicle on site and handed out brochures to seniors to promote and gain more senior participation with IIIB Transportation in that area.
CKCATS has hired a few new part-time and full-time drivers in Marion, Larue, and Breckinridge Counties but we are always looking for more. If you or anyone you know is interested in driving for CATS either full-time or part-time, please go to careers@ckcac.org to apply.