KTA proposes service reductions starting Dec. 1 as federal CDL delays slow operator onboarding

KTA chair called the meeting to order but said the authority did not have a quorum, so no official votes were possible. Director Thorn presented a staff recommendation for service adjustments beginning Dec. 1, citing delays in issuing commercial driver’s licenses that are slowing operator training and reducing available staff.

Director Thorn told the Transportation Authority, "I provided a recommendation for service adjustments starting on December 1," and said agencies nationwide are seeing delays after a new federal emergency rule paused some license processing. Thorn said the delay has caused some trainees to wait "one week, three weeks" for credentials needed to complete certification and that the agency cannot safely maintain full schedules while operators face hour limits.

The nut graf: The recommendation would reduce frequencies on several bus routes and temporarily suspend at least one route segment to preserve safe staffing levels; the authority…