Transportation
In town, if you are unable to drive or do not have a car, the Kodiak Area Transit System is available to seniors for rides to appointments, shopping and attending events. Just give them a call at 486-8308 the day before and they can pick you up at home for a ride.
Hours of Service
- Monday - Friday 6:30 am to 6:30 pm
- Saturday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Transportation requires a 24 hour call in reservation by either the client or qualifying non-profit agency.
Who May Use KATS?
Senior Citizens of Kodiak operates KATS as a coordinated transportation service for the Alaska Mental Health Trust Beneficiaries, seniors and disabled individuals. Other non-profit agencies who have non-beneficiaries also contract for service for their clients with KATS.
Cost of Rides
Your donation is important to keep this system operational! There is a fare of $2.00 each way for your rides.
How Do I Schedule or Reserve a Ride?
Call the KATS Dispatcher at 486-8308 between the hours of 7:00 am and 4:30 pm at least 24 hours in advance of when you need to ride. You will have a better chance of getting your ride if you call early.
Trips are prioritized based on trip purpose and the following guidelines:
- Medical and dental which would include adult day program, appointments to mental health, physical therapy, hospital, KANA, pharmacy, and nutrition sites (Senior Center).
- Employment and training.
- Shopping, hair appointments, social events and any other miscellaneous travel that does not fall under the number 1 or number 2 priorities.
Wait List/Stand-by Requests
Wait listed or stand by ride requests occur if a ride is not available at the time you are calling. The ride request will be monitored for availability up to the time of the ride. The KATS office will call when the ride request can be scheduled. The bus will be dispatched for pickup only if the trip is verbally confirmed.
Cancellations
To cancel a trip, call 486-8308. Cancellations should be made at least two hours before the scheduled pickup time to avoid a "no show". Be sure to indicate if you are canceling the initial pickup or the return trip. Canceling your initial pickup will result in automatic cancellation of your return trip unless you are very specific.
If your plans change, call and cancel the ride as soon as possible. Cancellations made on the same day of the scheduled trip significantly impact this service. Same day cancellations are essentially a wasted trip. It is difficult to schedule a trip for someone else with a same day cancellation. To avoid being penalized for too many late cancellations, write down every scheduled trip and check the list carefully.
No Shows
A "no show" rider is one who has a confirmed ride scheduled but does not use the transportation within five minutes of the vehicle's arrival. If you reserve a ride and decide not to travel, you must call to cancel your service at least two hours before your requested travel time. Any cancellation received less than two hours before the scheduled pickup time will be considered a no show. If you no show, your return trip is automatically cancelled.
No Shows are very costly to the KATS program. Before placing a reservation, be certain that you really plan to travel. Excessive no shows are considered an abuse to the system and will result in penalties and/or suspension of service. Three no shows within a three month period will result in suspension of bus privileges
Personal Care Attendants
A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is someone who is physically and mentally able to assist the KATS passenger when he/she requires driver assistance beyond door-to-door or needs to ride with the passenger for safety and health reasons. Both the PCA and eligible rider must be picked up and dropped off at the same address. No fare is charged to the PCA.
Non Profit Agency Sign in Sheet
Non profit clients need to record their name and purpose of the trip on the sign in sheet located under the fare box in the front of the bus. Sign In sheets are confidential.
Click here for KATS Transit Brochure (PDF)
Kodiak Area Transit System (KATS) Mobility Management Plan
The Kodiak Human Services Coalition is a partnership of human service agencies, led by SCOK, organized the KATS transportation system to provide transportation for agency clients and the general public. In 2007, the Coalition developed the Kodiak Area Coordinated Transportation Plan, which was updated in 2009 and 2010. The plan summarized unmet transportation needs and gaps in the current available transit services. As a result of the Plan, a mobility management effort was initiated to focus improving service and financial efficiency and effectiveness of transportation services in Kodiak. The plan involves changes to the existing KATS transportation services.
Documentation of the proposed service changes is provided for public review and comment by selecting the following link. Please review the document and if you have comments or questions, please call Pat at 486-2203 or submit your comments on the KATS Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KodiakTransit. Please submit comments no later than February 14, 2012.
Kodiak Area Mobility Management Tech Memo (PDF)
Please contact us for more information about this or other services.