KIMBALL, NE — A service in the southern panhandle is being recognized at a national level for its efforts.

Kimball County Transit Service (KCTS) was recently awarded the Connecting Rural Communities Award by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for its work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

KCTS serves portions of Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado, providing rural residents with travel assistance when needed.

In addition to normal operations, KCTS provided a delivery service to get groceries and pharmacy items to area residents. They also delivered 200 school lunches a day to students under quarantine.

They also transported people to COVID-19 testing and vaccination appointments, even using their buses as clinic sites.

"Receiving the 2021 Connecting Rural Communities Award would not have possible without the entire team," KCTS Manager Christy Warner said. "From my drivers and staff who represent KCTS to the community and riders, to NDOT and all the partners who have played a part in training, technology, marketing, coordination, compliance and behind the scenes. Thank you for the work you put into supporting us and the transit systems around the state."

The FTA awarded six transit agencies with this award for their efforts during the pandemic.

KCTS opened its new headquarters in downtown Kimball in September 2020.