City Manager previews new Wichita transit hub; council asks for ridership and partnership data

City Manager Marsall told the Wichita City Council that the city plans to open a new transit hub near the end of May and will hold a council ribbon-cutting. Marsall said the administration will present the transit network redesign, route planning to the new location, plans for demolition of the current station and the financial picture for transit operations.

A council member asked staff to include data on partnerships that provide free rides, specifically naming Wichita Public Schools, Wichita State University and the VA/United Way, and requested how long each partnership has existed and the actual ridership numbers. "Can you talk about the various partnerships the city of Wichita has with Wichita Public Schools, Wichita State University, the VA hospital/United Way? I'd like to see how long that partnership has been around for each of those and the actual ridership," the council member said.

Marsall said materials for the council will incorporate that ridership information and noted staff will emphasize route-planning details tied to the hub relocation and the demolition schedule for the existing facility. He also flagged broader transit finances that will be part of the discussion at the upcoming meeting.

The city manager paired the transit preview with a reminder of related agenda items: a HUD report and planning matters such as the Delano Neighborhood Overlay District and rezonings. Marsall said public‑works items will include easement and acquisition requests tied to construction season.

Staff told the council they will bring the transit redesign package to a future meeting with the requested partnership and ridership data so members can evaluate operational impacts and the cost implications of the relocation and demolition.