The Salina City Commission unanimously approved changes to the CityGo public transportation system routes following a public hearing at Monday's commission meeting.
Trell Grinter, OCCK director of transportation, presented the proposed changes, which include adding new stops while eliminating others with historically low ridership. According to Grinter, the stops being removed had "less than one rider a day over the last 5 years."
"The efficiencies and effectiveness that we're going to be reaching by changing these routes is going to allow us to expand without undue hardship on the city, on the taxpayers as we go forward," Grinter told commissioners.
Ron Marsh, director of public works, noted that city staff had reviewed the proposed changes and only had an issue with one adjustment, which is being addressed with OCCK.
The presentation included maps showing green dots for new stops and red dots for stops being eliminated. Grinter explained that most stops will continue to be served, though some may be served by a different colored route than previously.
One notable revision to the original plan involved a stop near Indian Rock on Gypsum Street. After meeting with concerned residents, OCCK adjusted the route and found a different location to turn around, utilizing the Wilson Company parking lot instead of going through a residential neighborhood.
During the public hearing, three citizens addressed the commission with concerns and suggestions. Thomas Basgall, who uses CityGo services regularly, expressed concern about the removal of a stop at 11th and Crawford that he uses "five to six times a week." He urged more public involvement in planning route changes.
Sharon Luka suggested installing beeper boxes at bus stop poles to help visually impaired riders locate stops more easily. She also requested that braille copies of the new schedule be made available.
Brent Martin, another regular CityGo rider, pointed out that the closest bus stop to the jail is almost half a mile away, creating difficulties for individuals being released, especially during inclement weather or after service hours end at 9 p.m.
Grinter addressed several of these concerns during the meeting, stating that OCCK would work with visually impaired customers to ensure their needs are met and noting that paratransit services are available for those affected by stop removals.
CityGo has been operating in Salina for nearly 20 years. The route changes are intended to accommodate shifting business locations and evolving travel patterns while improving service efficiency.
After the public hearing, Commissioner Hoppock moved to approve the route changes as presented, with Commissioner Davis seconding the motion. The commission approved the changes with a 5-0 vote.
