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Public transit operator asks Neosho County for $40,000 annual match amid rising costs
Summary
County public transit provider requested $40,000 local match for a five-day-per-week general public route, citing higher operating and vehicle costs and plans to add an advertising program to offset maintenance and replacement expenses.
Representatives of the county's public transportation provider briefed Neosho County commissioners on June 3 and requested a $40,000 local match to maintain a five-day-per-week general public route.
A CCAT representative told commissioners that rising operating costs have pushed the five-day route's local-match requirement to roughly $40,000 per year. The operator said the route remains the only service in the area that is available to the general public rather than to specific client groups.
The presenter said the service is heavily used for medical trips and that overall ridership has shifted; the operator plans an advertising program to brand buses for area communities and sell space to local businesses, with proceeds targeted to offset vehicle maintenance and replacement costs and to reduce the burden on municipal and county match funds.
Commissioners asked about ridership declines and other local providers. The operator said other entities (hospital transportation and agency-specific providers) serve some medical trips, but CCAT remains the only general-public provider for any trip purpose. The operator added that staff will pursue city contributions and other local support and will return with a formal letter documenting the county pledge and a pledge template the county can sign.
No formal budget decision was taken at the work session. Commissioners indicated they wanted the request included in upcoming budget deliberations and asked the provider to submit a formal letter of request and a one-page pledge for the county to use in budgeting.
Ending: The county has the CCAT request on record for the 2026 budget cycle and asked the provider to supply a formal pledge letter and supporting materials for commissioners to review during budget adoption.
