When the group Topekans in Support of Public Transportation started meeting a year ago, its goal was to persuade the Topeka City Council to fund the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority's Sunday and evening service.
Since then, the group has discovered additional problems.
"In the course of our work, there were a lot of other issues that came up," said Kevin Siek, one of the organizers of the group. "We had a lot of diverse things that people are interested in to increase the mobility of our community."
The group organized a public forum to address some of those issues. More than 60 people listened to speakers and gave input Tuesday afternoon during the three-hour event at the Big Gage Shelter House.
Forum MC Mike Oxford listens as Ruby Collins of
People United talks about the importance of public
transportation services for people with disabilities.
"This is an information event to allow the public to respond to our speakers," Siek said. "We have a lot we can do to improve the transportation situation in our community."
Attendees discussed the hours that transportation services are offered, bicycle racks on all buses, environmental issues and funding.
Speakers included Ron Harbaugh, Topeka Unified School District 501 spokesman; William Beteta, executive director of Heartland Visioning; and Dennis Tenpenny, outpatient case management supervisor for Valeo Behavioral Health Care; as well as representatives from the cycling community, Topeka Independent Living Resource Center, Community Action Inc. and the Sierra Club.
Topekans in Support of Public Transportation is seeking to create a sustainable, inclusive, public transportation system that increases personal transportation options, reduces fuel consumption and air/water pollution, and lessens traffic congestion and wear and tear on the city's streets.
Attendees, as well as other community members, were asked to answer a survey regarding public transportation interests and issues. Answers that already have compiled reveal a lot of details:
- 100 percent of those surveyed are dissatisfied with the current available options.
- 85 percent want TMTA to have expanded routes and hours.
- 43 percent said the Lift services take too long.
- 43 percent said city should subsidize cab rides.
- 100 percent believe that more public transportation options are needed between cities.
Janlyn Nesbett-Tucker, TMTA chief executive officer, listened as people shared their positive and negative feelings about the current offerings.
"I just want to hear any input or comments," she said. "We can always do things better. I'm all about finding out how to make things better."
Two of the TMTA staff members helped organize the event, Nesbett-Tucker said.
Matt Gassen, a TMTA board member, also attended.
"There are some positive things happening," Gassen said. "This is another opportunity to get input from the community."
During Beteta's presentation, one woman from the audience said she is disappointed because when her relatives come from out of state to visit the capital city, they have a difficult time with transportation because of the hours service is offered.
"We need to make it easier for people who are visiting Topeka," Beteta agreed.
Survey results, as well as input, will be gathered and shared with policyholders, Siek said.
"The forum will shape future grassroots efforts to implement a sustainable, inclusive, public transportation system and secure long-term investment through a variety of funding options," a news release stated.
David Hippen, of Topeka, was another attendee. He has been using a wheelchair for 15 years, and although he can drive, he attended the forum for information.
"I'm looking for the future," he said.
Ann Marie Bush can be reached at (785) 295-1207 or ann.bush@cjonline.com.