Five weekday bus routes and four Saturday routes would be
eliminated under a plan proposing a 35 percent
reduction in service offered Thursday to the
Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority.
(Photo by Kevin Elliot, Topeka Capital-Journal)
Five weekday bus routes and four Saturday routes would be eliminated under a plan proposing a 35 percent reduction in service offered Thursday to the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority.
The plan was one of two presented by transportation consultants with HDR Inc., which was hired to perform an operational analysis of TMTA. The study came at the request of Topeka City Council members, who in August approved an increased property tax levy to fund TMTA.
Ted Rieck, senior transit planner with HDR, presented the "service reduction plan" as a likely option for 2011 in the event the city council withdrew the one-year, 4.4-mill levy approved for TMTA's 2010 budget.
Rieck said the plan would eliminate some weekday routes, including Huntoon, West 29th, East 6th, West 29th Special and the Downtown Circulator. Saturday routes that would be eliminated are Highland Park, Huntoon, East 6th and White Lakes. Additional changes would be made to existing route schedules.
About 30 percent of TMTA's 1,600 weekday riders and 45 percent of the 1,300 Saturday riders would be affected under the scenario.
"When you're faced with that kind of scenario, you can't ignore the fact that so many people are going to be displaced," said Janlyn Nesbett-Tucker, general manager of TMTA.
The ongoing funding uncertainties are daunting, she said.
Under the second scenario, TMTA could implement a "service efficiency" plan if current funding doesn't change. Consultants suggested expanding some routes to include Sunday or extended evening services; utilizing current fixed routes; eliminating general public taxi services; and provide an ADA paratransit service.
Rieck said a financial forecast for 2011 includes about $4,000 in surplus funds under the current 4.4-mill levy. TMTA would face a deficit of more than $1 million in 2011 in the event city funding is rolled back to 3 mills, he said. TMTA would face a half-million deficit by 2014 under its 2010 funding and more than $1.5 million under a 3-mill levy.
"Even at the current funding level, there are things to improve upon," said TMTA board member Matt Gassen. "Hopefully, we will be pursuing those."
City Councilwoman Deborah Swank, who serves on the committee overseeing TMTA's study, said she was pleased with some of the study's additional findings.
A survey conducted by consultants of more than 400 Topekans found 74 percent of respondents feel it is "very important" for the city to support and fund public transportation.
"I think that says a lot in what we are needing to do to support public transit," Swank said of the survey.
The comprehensive analysis found TMTA lines have a 90 percent average of running "on time," higher than the national average, Rieck said. He said buses carry between eight and 13 passengers on average, with maximum trips ranging from 12 to 32 passengers. Most buses have room for about 29 passengers, Rieck said.
Ruby Collins, who said she uses bus and lift services nearly daily, said she "would be shocked if they get any money from the city council."
"The TMTA isn't bringing anything to the table for additional funding," she said. "They don't have anything. They are empty-handed with their hand open."
While Collins said she has doubts about the city providing new funding because of its own budget crisis, she is hopeful the public will persuade city officials to help those who rely on public transit.
"I have to use it to stay independent," Collins said. "I have to go places. I have to go to work. I have to see the Lord — he's the one that has benefited me the most."
For questions or comments about the comprehensive analysis, contact Lisa Procknow at (888) 234-8056 or lisa.procknow@hdrinc.com.
Kevin Elliott can be reached at (785) 295-1192 or kevin.elliott@cjonline.com.