WHAT'S NEXT FOR RURAL TRANSIT IN KANSAS?

Determining unmet transit needs in rural Kansas is the subject of a needs assessment study being conducted by the KU Transportation Center under contract to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). The study involves identifying overall travel needs in the state by calculating the number of rides currently provided through public and specialized transit programs and assessing the gap between available and needed services. Determining the level of transit service available requires an updated inventory of services for all of the publicly-supported rural and specialized providers in the state. A statewide telephone survey also is being developed to measure general public awareness of and interest in public and specialized transportation services. Later in the study, an analysis will be conducted to determine the costs of expanding or developing programs according to selected levels of transit service identified in the needs assessment. This information will assist the state and local agencies in developing policy and planning for rural public transportation services in the future.