Sunflower Diversified Services is moving ahead with plans to expand its bus fleet and transportation coverage area, Jon Prescott, Sunflower executive director/CEO, told the Barton County Commission Tuesday morning. This is possible thanks to a Kansas Department of Transportation grant.

“We were blessed to have received that grant,” he said. This is a 90/10% matching project, calculated at a total cost of $1,135,000 with Sunflower providing a $113,500 match. 

It was in November 2019, that Prescott provided details to the commission on the KDHE grant that would allow for expanding its fleet to 14 buses and adding connecting services to Ellis, Reno, Saline and Pratt counties. Commissioners offered a letter of support for the application.

“It’s amazing that its been almost two years since you provided us a letter of support,” Prescott said. He received confirmation of approval last March.

Using eight buses, Sunflower currently provides Barton, Pawnee, Rush, Rice and Stafford counties with public and medical transportation. Most of the service is in Barton County. 

Now, the next step is to construct the new bus barn, which will be located behind Sunflower’s existing recycling service at 5523 10th Street. “We had our first planning session for that building last Friday, and they’ve hired a consulting firm to walk us through that whole process,” he said.

He said they hope to start construction within the next six months. After a soil sample is taken, bids will go out for architects and, then contractors.

The plans are to have the structure built and ready in 12-18 months, he said. It will also serve as a transfer station for riders.

“We couldn’t have done this without your support,” he said of the commission.

Prescott said Sunflower now owns all the property between 10th Street and Ninth Street, the recycling center and 5605 10th street (previously known as Pro Tint Automotive services).

Because of the increased traffic caused by the additional buses, they will exit onto Ninth out of the back of the location, he said. That is currently unpaved, but Sunflower plans to work with the City of Great Bend about possibly making improvements to it.

While COVID-19 halted some public transit in Great Bend, Sunflower kept running, he said. They gave over 45,000 rides to clients and the general public in 2020, and usage numbers for December 2020 and January 2021 were both much higher as well.

Since last June, Sunflower has waived the usual $2-per-ride fare and offered free rides, thanks to KDHE covering the additional expense. That will last at least until this June, he said.

And, in addition, the existing buses will receive a new look, he said. Within the next few months, the buses will be covered in blue-green wrap. “They’ll have the theme of recycling,” Prescott said. He secured a grant to cover the cost. 

A grand vision

“I wanted to share with you our dreams for the future,” Prescott said. Ultimately, their goal is to consolidate most of Sunflower’s services in what amounts to a campus at this location.

The agency is applying for a Community Development Block Grant to relocate its Early Education Center (now at 1312 Patton Rd.) and adult day services (now at 8823 4th Street and on the K-96 bypass) all to this location. This would entail building two additional structures.

Prescott said Sunflower has outgrown its current sites. The consolidation would allow for expansion.

If all goes well, they’d like to have all of these completed by the end of 2022.