From KSNT TV 27 News, April 21, 2009
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.
Reporter: Hannah Wooldridge
Photographer: Brian Burkett