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Transit director warns Knox County faces service cuts without new local match funding
Summary
Knox County Transit Director Bethany Salmore told commissioners the system ran 7,158 trips in April but faces a $100,000–$130,000 funding shortfall; she said Saturday on-demand service is likely to be cut and that she must decide by June 1 whether to announce cuts effective July 1.
Bethany Salmore, Knox County Transit director, told the Board of Commissioners on May 21 that transit demand remained strong in April but that shrinking contract revenue and dropped programs have created an urgent funding gap.
"We actually had a really strong month in April. We did 7,158 trips," Salmore said, adding that the system is operating efficiently despite staffing challenges. She said 52% of trips are workforce-related and about 19% are medical rides; the Canyon route logged 2,198 trips and Mount Vernon routes 1,013 in April.
Salmore said some contracted programs have reduced or ended, leaving roughly $100,000 to $130,000 less in expected annual revenue. "I have to make a decision by June 1 to announce if we're doing service cuts," she said, noting that cuts would take effect July 1 with 30 or so weekday workers and roughly 75 Saturday trips affected. "Right now, it looks like Saturdays are probably going to go away as far as on demand." She estimated Saturdays cost about $65,000 a year.
Commissioners asked whether reduced hours or smaller vehicles could preserve service. Salmore said wheelchair and lift-equipped trips make switching to smaller vans difficult: "About 30% of our trips are wheelchairs or walkers," she said, explaining how vehicle and scheduling constraints limit options.
Salmore said the agency won a $20,000 grant that will allow the night bus to continue but still lacks enough local matching revenue to close the gap. She described ongoing outreach to potential corporate sponsors and noted one firm pledge of $1,000 from Goodwill.
The board approved a related Ohio Department of Transportation subaward for Knox County Transit of $166,700 during the same meeting; Salmore said contract certifications that accompany the grant will be signed separately.
Next steps: Salmore said she will continue fundraising and report back; she had asked commissioners to consider local match support to avoid service reductions. The board took no formal action at the meeting to commit local match funds.
