CRAWFORDSVILLE — If you do not have a car or cannot drive, some places can feel inaccessible. Crawfordsville hopes to open up its city to everyone with a new way to ride.
Sunshine Vans will become an on-demand ride service for all ages, including Wabash College students. The agency will expand thanks to a grant worth more than $250,000 from the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The service is currently for seniors only. Sunshine Vans driver Bryan Kessinger said he has seen the need for his rides firsthand.
"I've seen these vans around town for years and I didn't really realize the impact they had," said Kessinger, who started driving Sunshine Vans last October. "They can't get to the doctor and they can't get places without us, so I guess we could be considered lifesavers."
Agency director Belinda Young said they realized the need for expanded transit after surveys were conducted in Crawfordsville and with Wabash College students
"We had a lot of younger individuals explaining to us how they would much rather use public transportation because they don't have access to their own private transportation and would rather support this than an Uber or a Lyft," Young said.
The revamped Sunshine Vans will launch in January 2026. It will add two minibuses to the fleet and develop an app so riders of all ages can call a ride without making a literal phone call.
"For the demographic we are looking to serve in addition to the seniors, it is truly instrumental," Young said.
Kessinger said he is eager to pick up passengers, whether they want a ride or need a ride.
"I love it," Kessinger said. "Everybody is interesting. Everybody has their own story, and I like listening to them."
-
'Bottleworks Bump' causing grief for Chatham Arch neighbors
The intersection of 9th Street and College Avenue has a speed table — a traffic calming device with a long, flat top, designed to slow vehicles down more gradually than a speed hump.
Mitchell scores 23 as Fever beat Wings 88-78
The Indiana Fever beat the Dallas Wings 88-78 on Friday night for their season-high fourth-straight win despite playing without Caitlin Clark for the sixth straight game.
Selfie worthy Fridays at the 2025 Indiana State Fair
INDIANAPOLIS — When you take in all the sights at the 2025 Indiana State Fair, make sure you're camera-ready! The Selfie Station Photo Trail at the Fair will help you capture those summer memories. For our Selfie-Worthy Fridays Series, WRTV gives you a glimpse of the best photo spots.
Renovation of iconic City Market faces delay
Since March 2024, when the City Market closed its doors, the space has remained empty. The city is shifting its focus to Whistler Plaza in an effort to revitalize the area first.
