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Wichita council approves transit network redesign to center service on new downtown hub
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Summary
The Wichita City Council approved a 2026 transit network redesign that centralizes routes at a new downtown hub, increases frequency on the city’s busiest corridors, and launches outreach and a temporary fare-free transition. Council voted 7-0 to adopt the plan after extended public and council discussion about security, partnerships and school ridership.
The Wichita City Council on April 24 approved a wide-ranging redesign of the city’s bus network that shifts the system to a hub-and-spoke model centered on a new downtown hub scheduled to open May 23, 2026.
Wichita Transit Director Penny Feist told the council the plan consolidates routes through the new hub to improve connections, increases frequency on high-ridership corridors (Routes 21 and 22 and, during peak hours, Route 16), and introduces strategic route adjustments to reach grocery-access nodes and pilot east-west service in south Wichita. Feist said the redesign is budget-neutral for system operations and seeks to increase annual service hours slightly from 124,000 to about 128,000.
"The goal is to transition to the Hub on 05/23/2026," Feist said, adding the agency plans a robust 30-day outreach period, staff ambassadors to help riders navigate the new system, and free fares for the first two weeks of the transition.
Council members pressed staff on facility security, accessibility, and partnerships. Vice Mayor Glasscock asked about security plans for the hub and getting patrols and cameras in place; Feist said the existing security contract will expand to cover the larger facility and that camera monitoring will be part of standard city facility operations. Council members asked how the redesign will serve schools and second- and third-shift workers, and Feist described existing partnerships—Wichita State’s agreement and other institutional contracts—and pilots to evaluate demand-response vehicles for off-hour service.
Residents and stakeholders who spoke during public comment and at council chambers emphasized grocery access, service hours, and travel training. One participant representing disability advocates urged deeper attention to accessibility and travel training for older adults and riders with disabilities.
Mayor Lily Wu moved adoption of the redesign; Vice Mayor Glasscock seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 7-0.
What happens next: Wichita Transit will finalize outreach and training materials, operate fare-free for the initial two weeks of service change, and return to council with technology improvements and any marketing contract approvals. Staff emphasized the agency will monitor ridership and make adjustments after the hub opens.
Votes at a glance: The council approved the 2026 transit network redesign, motion passed 7-0.
Sources: Council presentation and discussion with Penny Feist; council roll call and public comment recorded in the April 24, 2026 council meeting transcript.
