Travel

GENERAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Catch-A-Ride 620-792-7797

Catch-A-Ride is a service off ered by Sunfl ower Diversifi ed Service. Mini-buses are available in the city limits of Great Bend and a 10 mile surrounding radius. Th e 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. Th e mini-bus requires advanced notice. Passengers must call at least the day before to schedule their rides. An aft er-hours answering machine is available to leave a message. Th e 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. Th e 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 aft er 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. Th e 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, fl ight training, aircraft towing and hangars. Th e airport (KGBD) is located at 9047 Sixth St., 3 miles west of Great Bend.

Th e 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 staff s arrive at the airport weekly to provide services in Great Bend.

Th e 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

Th e 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, fl ying and providing support for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Th e memorial honors bomber crews, groups, and individuals on bronze plaques and bricks. Visitors are welcome 365 days a year. Th ere is no admission charge.

GREAT BEND AIRFEST

Th e triennial Great Bend Airfest is scheduled for Sept. 17-19, 2021, at the Great Bend Municipal Airport.

“Th is 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.

Th e 58th Bomb Wing was the fi rst B-29 combat wing of World War II and engaged in the fi rst long-range strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands beginning in March 1944 from bases in India.