SIDNEY -- The Sidney City Council recently offered its support for a grant application for Kimball County Transit Service (KCTS). KCTS has frequent trips in and through Cheyenne County. 

KCTS is applying for a 5311 grant. The 5311 is a state grant that is federally funded. The City of Sidney also relies on 5311 funding; 80 percent federally funded, 10 percent state and 10 percent local.

Christy Warner, KCTS administrator, explained the program in the March 13 Sidney City Council meeting. She said KCTS takes passengers to shopping trips and doctors visits in Sidney and into Deuel County. They also drive as far as Scottsbluff and to Denver International Airport. 

She said expansion of Clean Harbors, expecting to add about 200 workers, and the U.S. Air Force missile project are adding to the need for a regional transportation system. Warner said the need for housing could support a regional transportation system as well.

KCTS is applying for grant support that would help finance expansion of the program. 

She also would like to see KCTS and the City of Sidney signing memorandums of understanding for using parking lots and for responding to emergency transportation needs. She would like to see a version of a park and ride system between Sidney and KCTS. 

The 5311 is the grant that we apply for through the state that is federally funded.  We are about 80% Federally funded, 10% state, and the other 10% coming from the local city or counties.