The Little Kanawha Bus Company of Grantsville is a public service that is proving its worthiness.

The company provides flexible, low-cost transportation to rural Calhoun and Roane County.

"We have tried to look at every option to meet the needs of people," said manager Darlene Harris. "There are no income guidelines or age limits."

Harris said more people are scheduling a bus ride for special needs, making appointments for trips out of the area. "We even provide charter trips," she said.

Transportation needs are met for doctor appointments, shopping, education, work, nutrition, recreational, personal purposes and other needs that come up in helping people get to where they need to go.

Like the old days of bus service, the buses stop anywhere along the route.

Buses are clean, air-conditioned and ADA accessible. The friendly drivers have been trained to accommodate special needs.

Starting in Grantsville in 1999 by Community Resources, the LK Bus had a couple of wheelchair-accessible buses, two drivers and only three passengers during the month of March.

Now in a fifth year of operation, the company is transporting an average of 1,700 passengers a month.

Following steady growth, the service expanded to Roane County in 2000.

Harris says company dispatch is also able to reschedule appointments to fit the bus schedule and will help schedule appointments when necessary.

Call for ride information: 354-9043 or toll free 1-866-354-5522.

SPENCER SCHEDULE: ROANE COUNTY

MONDAY

Route 119 to Walton area to Spencer and return

TUESDAY

Route 33 West to Jackson County line to Spencer and return; Route 33 East to Calhoun County line with connecting service to Grantsville and return

OUT OF AREA

Parkersburg

WEDNESDAY

Route 36 through Clover, Looneyville, Left hand, Amma And Newton to Spencer and return

OUT OF AREA

Charleston

THURSDAY

Route 14 to Reedy area to Spencer and return

OUT OF AREA

Parkersburg

FRIDAY

Clarksburg/Morgantown

SERVICE SCHEDULE: CALHOUN COUNTY

MONDAY

Route 5 East and Route 5 West to Annamoriah and Creston and return

TUESDAY

Route 16 south to Millstone, Arnoldsburg and Westfork areas to Grantsville and return

OUT OF AREA

Parkersburg

WEDNESDAY

Route 16 South to Mt. Zion to Route 33 East to Stumptown / Russett to Grantsville and return

OUT OF AREA

Charleston

THURSDAY

Route 16 North through Pleasant Hill, Nobe, Broomstick and Big Springs to Grantsville and return

OUT OF AREA

Parkersburg

FRIDAY

Clarksburg/Morgantown