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Rural transit operator warns of $240,000 shortfall; county asked to join task force
Summary
Developmental Services NWK told the commission Access public transportation faces a roughly $240,000 shortfall for 2027, will cut Sunday service (affecting about 84 riders) and urged a county–city task force to secure long-term local match and structure.
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) told the Ellis County Commission that Access public transportation faces a significant funding gap for 2027 and recommended a joint county–city task force to identify a sustainable local match and service model.
Jerry Michaud, president and CEO of DSNWK, said the agency projects a roughly $240,000 local need for 2027 and that reserves used to cover deficits will be exhausted by the end of this year. Michaud warned of immediate operational impacts: "It will affect 84 riders, every Sunday, starting after July 1." He described ridership trends (about 25,758 rides in 2025 and roughly 9,600 through April 2026) and said roughly 500 unduplicated individuals used Access in 2025. Michaud and staff recommended forming a task force to decide what the service should look like for future KDOT grant submissions due in November.
The presentation included operational constraints—KDOT match formulas, vehicle procurement and maintenance costs, and limitations on raising fares without affecting grant matches. Commissioners expressed support for a task force and agreed a joint, near-term planning effort is needed to avoid deeper cuts and to balance cost, accessibility and vehicle choices.
