SALINA — OCCK is requesting $1,058,953 in operational funding for its transportation services in 2026, according to budget materials shared with the City of Salina. This represents a 9.96% increase over the $963,000 budgeted in 2025.
The budget covers costs for OCCK’s fixed route system, paratransit services, and vehicle replacements. OCCK operates public transportation services throughout the Salina area, offering accessibility to residents who rely on public transit for work, medical appointments, and daily needs.
Funding Breakdown
The 2026 request includes:
- Paratransit: $398,400 (flat from 2025)
- Fixed Route: $617,553 (up from $524,600 in 2025)
- Vehicle Replacement: $43,000 (up from $40,000 in 2025)
No funds are allocated for system expansion in 2026, consistent with recent years.
The increase in fixed route expenses represents the largest rise year-over-year, climbing nearly 18% from the prior year.
Pandemic-Era Impacts
OCCK’s funding requests varied significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 and 2021, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) covered a larger-than-normal share of transit costs:
- 2020 actual city contribution: $315,237.50
- 2021 actual city contribution: $150,500.25
These reduced local costs were attributed to KDOT’s increased role in funding transit operations during the height of the pandemic.
Historical Trends
Here is a look at OCCK’s total operating requests in recent years:
- 2017: $653,000
- 2018: $737,900
- 2019: $811,690
- 2020: $836,960
- 2021: $475,163
- 2022: $818,205
- 2023: $851,903
- 2024: $937,093
- 2025: $963,000
- 2026: $1,058,953 (proposed)
OCCK’s 2026 budget request is the highest to date, indicating increased operational costs and potentially greater service demands across the Salina region.
Next Steps
The OCCK budget request is part of the broader City of Salina budget process. A public hearing on the proposed 2026 city budget will be held on Monday, August 11 at 4:00 PM in Room 107 of the City/County Building, located at 300 West Ash Street. This hearing offers an opportunity for citizens to comment on how city funds are allocated, including transportation services such as OCCK.
