In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the pressing challenges facing the city’s transit system as they prepare for a proposal for 2025. Mr. Scannell provided an overview of the current transit services, which include fixed route intercity services operated by First Transit and KCATA, as well as various paratransit options for residents with disabilities and seniors.

Scannell highlighted that transit costs have been rising significantly, while revenues and federal funding have not kept pace. The city has operated transit services since the 1970s, initially funded largely by federal transit funds. However, over the years, the financial burden has shifted to the city’s general fund, necessitating ongoing efforts to find cost-effective solutions.

The discussion also touched on the history of funding challenges, noting that in 2012, the city began contracting for both fixed route and paratransit services. By 2019, the city had to make substantial cuts, including reducing service hours and eliminating routes due to budget constraints. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues, leading to the elimination of the last remaining morning and afternoon routes in 2020, as the city faced an estimated $900,000 budget shortfall.

Scannell presented data showing a widening gap between rising costs and declining revenues, which has increased by 17% from 2017 to 2020. Although the city received over $5 million in one-time COVID relief funding, these funds have now been exhausted, leaving the city to project a need for nearly $2.2 million from the general fund to maintain current transit levels in 2024-2025.

As the city grapples with these financial challenges, officials are seeking innovative strategies to sustain transit services while remaining within budgetary constraints. The upcoming proposal for 2025 will be critical in determining the future of public transit in the city.