Topeka – City busses will stay on Topeka’s streets on nights and weekends at least a little while longer.

At its meeting Monday evening, the Topeka Transit Authority board decided to delay its decision to end evening and Sunday service until at least Memorial Day.

Funding shortfalls initially had Topeka Transit poised to end those services April 1. The deadline was pushed back to April 22 before Monday’s action delayed it even further.

The board plans to ask the Topeka City Council to increase its mil levy cap. They say the limit hasn’t been raised since 1994.

Both the board and bus users agree how important the service is.

Ami Hyten with Topeka Independent Living Resource Center says many clients depend on public transportation to get to their jobs. She says the issue that must take priority since it is key to creating an economically viable community.

Board president Neta Jeffus agrees. She says transportation is the hub of a community. She says public transportation should be involved in any discussions on economic development.

The board dipped into its capital funds to keep the service going. That money had been set aside to match any federal grants they would get to replace their aging bus fleet, so Jeffus says it could become an even greater issue down the road if a new funding stream isn’t identified.

The Topeka Transit is facing a budget crisis that will soon limit their bus services and routes.

The board had originally planned to cut evening and Sunday bus services this Wednesday, but that was postponed until Memorial Day weekend.

“If the night and evening service is cut I will not have the funds to put groceries on the table, pay my rent, pay other bills,” Kim Richmond explained to the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority Board Monday.

Kim Richmond stated her case before the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority board Monday, the same way she did at last Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Kim depends on the bus to get to and from work, and she’s worried what will happen if services are cut.

“It will be a six hour walk from work to home because I am not going to be able to afford to spend 25 dollars a night on cab ride,” said Richmond.

And Kim’s not the only one worried about service cuts. A handful of her workmates also depend on the Topeka Metro Transit Authority to get to and from work at Golden Corral on Wanamaker.

“I’ve already tried to make plans on finding another ride but its going to cost a lot more and I really can’t afford it so transit is the best thing for me,” said Chris Frazier, cook at Golden Corral.

“That’s how they get to work or home from work late at night especially,” said Kenneth Geib, manager.

The transit board did motion to extend evening and Sunday services through Memorial Day, but workers wonder what will happen after that.

“We’ll be discontinuing unless we receive some help on the 25th of May,” said Neta Jeffus, TMTA.

“This will have a direct impact on their job, whether they can keep their job or whether they’ll lose their job,” said Richmond.

“They’re not going to be able to keep their schedule or hold their job,” said Geib.

Kim says she’s happy services will continue longer than originally planned, but come Memorial Day weekend, she says the city’s in for a shock.

“This is going to have a severe economic impact on Topeka I don’t know what more I can do,” said Richmond.

Right now Kim pays $3.50 to take the bus home from her job at Golden Corral, when the bus services end, Kim says that same ride will cost her more than $20 in a taxi cab, and that’s her only alternative.

“I only make $2.13 an hour plus tips that could be my entire evening’s wages just to get home and I can’t afford $25 a night for a cab and I certainly don’t have the money for a car, unless somebody wants to give me on and I don’t see that happening,” said Richmond.

“Transportation is the backbone of a community and I think Topeka is a little slow recognizing that,” said Jeffus.

The transit board wants the city to help pay for bus services.

“We are here we are viable, and many people use and rely on us,” Jeffus said.

More than a dozen people were at the Monday meeting, many of whom are disabled.

They say they will continue to voice their concerns until the city steps in to keep the services running.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

9am Friday, April 17
408 SW Jackson

City Council Must ACT NOW to Preserve Our Public Transit System!

Without Increased Funding TMTA ’s Evening & Sunday Service will End April 22nd with the Elimination of ½ Hour Fixed Route Service Soon After!

The Transit Authority really needs a revenue increase of 3.3 million dollars to maintain current levels of service. This could be 3 mills or 2 mills and a fare increase for at least the next year.

This one year time frame will allow all of us, as community members, to create a vision for the future of transit, to engage in long range planning, and to consider all potential sources of funding that may be available.

CALL YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER AT 368-3710 & ASK THEM TO SUPPORT A ONE YEAR INCREASE IN TMTA FUNDING NOW!

Or contact your Councilperson directly at one of the numbers below:

Mayor, Bill Bunten, 368-3895
District #1, Karen Hiller, 232-2917
District #2, John Alcala, 233-7110
District #3, Sylvia Ortiz, 357-0717
District #4, Jack Woelfel, 215-3323
District #5, Larry Wolgast, 272-6896
District #6, Deborah Swank, 233-1037
District #7, Robert Archer, 218-9682
District #8, Jeff Preisner, 271-1959
District #9, Richard Harmon, 271-6962

DO IT TODAY!

For more information contact Kevin at 207-6508.