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Travel GENERAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Catch-A-Ride 620-792-7797 Catch-A-Ride is a service offered by Sunflower Diversified Service. Mini-buses are available in the city limits of Great Bend and a 10 mile surrounding radius. The buses are available from 5:30 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The mini-bus requires advanced notice. Passengers must call at least the day before to schedule their rides. An after-hours answering machine is available to leave a message. The dispatcher collects all messages the next day, or if over the weekend messages are collected on Monday mornings. Fare is $2 per person per stop. Mini-Bus & Van 620-792-3859 Transportation is available in the Great Bend city limits and in a limited radius outside town, including west to the airport, south of Redbarn, east to the Doonan dealership, and north to Barton Community College (with special student rate). Van hours are 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Mini-Bus with wheelchair lift operates from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Let the dispatcher know if you need a
wheelchair lift. An answering machine is available after hours. Fares in town with 24-hour advance notice are $1.50 for one way or $3.00 for a round trip, and $1.00 for each extra stop. The fare for same-day service is $4.00 per person one way and $1.00 for each extra stop. Fares outside of Great Bend are $8 per person one way. Hoisington Trolley 620-653-2555 Fare is 25 cents per person one way in Hoisington. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday but the driver takes a lunch break from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. GREAT BEND MUNICIPAL AIRPORT Great Bend Municipal Airport is a full-service regional facility serving all aspects of civil aviation and military activity. Services include self-service and fullservice aviation fuels, aircraft repair and maintenance, flight training, aircraft towing and
hangars. The airport (KGBD) is located at 9047 Sixth St., 3 miles west of Great Bend. The airport is also utilized by private recreational and business aviation aircraft. Military aircraft occasionally use the airport as a refueling stop and for training. It is a popular mid-America fuel stop for personal and business aircraft. Medical professionals and their staffs arrive at the airport weekly to provide services in Great Bend. The City of Great Bend has an eight-member airport advisory committee that has the authority to make recommendations and advise the City Council on matters related to the airport. To contact a member of the Airport Advisory Committee, call 620-793-4168. Airport Manager Martin Miller 620-793-4168, 620-792-9446 greatbendairport@ruraltel.net www.greatbendks.net/index. aspx?nid=190 B-29 MEMORIAL The Great Bend Municipal Airport was constructed
in 1943 as a World War II Army Air Force Base to accommodate the B-29 Superfortress bomber. Located at the entrance to the Great Bend Municipal Airport, the B-29 Memorial Plaza is dedicated to everyone involved in building, flying and providing support for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The memorial honors bomber crews, groups, and individuals on bronze plaques and bricks. Visitors are welcome 365 days a year. There is no admission charge. GREAT BEND AIRFEST The triennial Great Bend Airfest is scheduled for Sept. 17-19, 2021, at the Great Bend Municipal Airport. “This event is always fun to put on every three years and were really excited about this year’s Airfest,” said event organizer and airport Manager Martin Miller. “Aviation is such a big part of Great Bend’s history and to be able to host this event at the former Air Force Base makes this such a meaningful occasion.” Great Bend Army Air Field was closed as an air base in 1946. Located 5.6 miles westsouthwest of Great Bend, it is used today as Great Bend Municipal Airport. The 58th Bomb Wing was the first B-29 combat wing of World War II and engaged in the first long-range strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands beginning in March 1944 from bases in India.
