OCCK seeks $1.06 million in city support; outlines route redesign, paratransit software and service upgrades

OCCK, the region’s public transit provider, presented its 2026 funding request and a multi-pronged plan for service improvements to the Salina City Commission on June 9.

The request is part of the city’s outside-agency budget review: Trel Grinter, OCCK Transportation Director, said OCCK’s blended request to the city totals $1,058,953, which covers operating, overhead and capital costs and includes a list of capital needs and service improvements. “That total dollar amount is $1,058,953 and that blends our operating costs, our overhead costs, and capital costs,” she told commissioners.

Grinter outlined ridership and program metrics to justify the request. OCCK reported 71,000 paratransit rides in 2024 (about 57,000 of those local to Salina), and 245,000 fixed-route rides on Citigo in 2024; May 2025 alone delivered roughly 30,000 Citigo rides, she said. She said 28% of trips are work-related, 42% medical and 30% for other needs such as nutrition and education. Paratransit usage is holding steady while fixed-route ridership rises, she said.

Planned investments described to commissioners include: purchase and rollout of new paratransit and scheduling software (current estimate: a $20,000 interim system and an $80,000 target solution for paratransit); Wi‑Fi and automated stop-announcements for fixed-route buses; a route redesign launching Aug. 4 projected to save about 150 vehicle miles per day and eliminate roughly 20 underused stops; and a plan to retain a 3% cost‑of‑living increase for drivers. Grinter also proposed exploring fuel purchasing from the city as a potential cost-savings measure.

She told the commission that KDOT typically matches local operating contributions—roughly 70% state match to 30% local—but noted that KDOT's approval and match levels are subject to its grant process. Grinter said OCCK’s total operating budget is about $6 million; the agency also cited vehicle capital needs (two vehicles estimated at $43,000) embedded in the request. She said OCCK seeks city funding to help ensure reliable service during the redesign and cover software/capital costs if needed.

Commissioners asked about fares and service details: Grinter said fares remain $2 for a day pass, $1 for a one-way trip and $35 for a monthly pass, and confirmed that airport trips can be scheduled for $2 each way. She also noted a recent employer partnership (Schwan’s) that allows employees to ride with an employee ID and contributes to route/route-expansion planning. No formal vote was taken on the OCCK request during the hearing; the request will be considered as part of the city’s budget process.

Clarifying details: OCCK requested $1,058,953 from the city to blend operating and capital; total system budget ~ $6,000,000; 2024 paratransit rides = 71,000 (57,000 Salina), Citigo rides = 245,000; route redesign to launch Aug. 4 with estimated 150 mile/day savings; paratransit software estimated $80,000; vehicle capital ask included two vehicles at $43,000.

Next steps: City budget officials will consider OCCK’s request within overall budget deliberations; OCCK will proceed with outreach and route redesign planning ahead of the August implementation date.