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OCCK Transportation is pleased to announce a ribbon cutting for KANcycle, bike sharing for rural Kansas, will take place Friday, June 14 at 10:15 a.m. at the 7th & Walnut transfer station.

KANcycle, a program of OCCK, Inc. Transportation, and Zagster, Inc. will be launching a new bike-share program for eight communities in North Central Kansas that will provide everyone with a convenient, affordable and healthy way to get around. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is sponsoring a first of its kind rural bike share program for the following communities: Belleville, Beloit, Concordia, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Mankato, Minneapolis and Salina.

“OCCK Transportation is excited to bring an additional transportation option, a way to help promote healthier communities, and an enjoyable recreational activity,” says Claire Mullen, Director of Mobility Management.  “We are thrilled to bring something new to North Central Kansas like bike sharing.  It is such a unique program that we are very proud of.”

Starting the middle of June, 80 bikes with 17 stations will be strategically distributed between the eight communities to use for on-demand, local trips. Riders join the program by signing up for annual memberships or pay-as-you-go.  Annual memberships will be $30 with trips under 1 hour being free, student annual memberships will be $20 with trips under 1 hour being free, and pay-as-you-go will be $1.50 every 30 minutes.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, the state’s largest health insurer, is making an initial contribution of $160,000 to provide bikes and marketing support for the first year of the KANcycle program, with the intention of helping the program grow in coming years.

“For over 75 years, we’ve made helping Kansans lead healthier lives one of our top priorities,” said Virginia Barnes, Director, Blue Health Initiatives. “Bike share encourages both active living and provides a means for community members to access resources they need to stay healthy. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is proud to serve as primary sponsor for KANcycle and we look forward to helping grow the program in the next few years. ”

Zagster manages all aspects of its bike-share programs — from bikes and technology, to maintenance and fleet rebalancing. Riding KANcycle bike share is easy. Bikes can be found via the free Zagster Mobile App — available for iPhone and Android — or online at zagster.com.  Each bike has a unique number which riders enter into the app to unlock the bike.  After the rider returns the bike to a designated Zagster bike station, the rental ends and the bike is available for the next person to enjoy.

For additional information on the program, such as launch dates, visit our Facebook page KANcycle or contact Claire Mullen, Director of Mobility Management at (785) 826-1583.  Keep an eye out for our website coming soon www.kancycle.org.

MANHATTAN, Kansas — A shuttle service is making its way to the Manhattan Downtown area this summer. The Downtown Area Shuttle, or DASH, is a five-passenger, fully electric, low-speed vehicle that will support tourism and enhance residents’ work and play lifestyles.

To catch the shuttle, riders can text (785) 379-DASH, or hail the shuttle on the street. Riders can then enjoy a safe and free journey to local restaurants, services, and attractions. For good service, riders are encouraged to tip the volunteer drivers. “We wanted to create another frictionless, fun, and easy service that enhances the already stellar array of amenities the Little Apple has to offer,” said Green Apple Bikes Program Director, Jonathan Rivers. “We can offer this service for free because our electric car cuts out the cost of fuel and because of our partnerships with wonderful sponsors.”

The shuttle will operate within a one-square mile of Manhattan’s urban core. Beyond downtown, other key areas within this service area include Aggieville, City Park, the Post Office, the Manhattan Public Library, and the Douglass Community Recreation Center. By leveraging the DASH, riders can do their part to help reduce traffic congestion in high-density downtown areas, support local commerce, and enjoy a new (and free) way to experience Manhattan.

For more information or to apply to serve as a volunteer driver, visit: http://www.greenapplebikes.com/162/MHK-DASH

Founded in 2015, Green Apple Bikes is a free bike share program designed to increase personal mobility in Manhattan. The program is funded entirely by private donors, local businesses and grants. All day-to-day functions, such as repairs and maintenance, marketing and promotion, and strategic planning and partnerships, are carried out by volunteers and the Manhattan community.

Save the Date! April 25 is national “Get on Board” Day.

So what exactly is “Get On Board Day” and what does it mean for you? Great question!

Public transit systems and mobility champions will be uniting to raise awareness about the importance of public transportation. We’ll be highlighting the economic, social, cultural, and safety benefits of public transportation—and why we all need to “Get On Board” when it comes to investing to improve and expand public transportation in communities large and small.

You already know public transit matters at three key levels: personally, for local communities, and for the nation as a whole. Together, those stories—the personal, community-wide, and national—make up the 1-2-3 of why public transit matters, and each plays a role as we work to show the new Congress why they need to keep public transportation at the forefront in their infrastructure and transportation discussions.

We Want to Hear from YOU!

To learn more visit: http://voicesforpublictransit.org/blog.aspx?id=04-04-2019

The Small Urban and Rural Livability Center (SURLC) and the National Center for Transit Research (NCTR) prepared the report Transit and Livability: Results from the National Community Livability Survey for the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT).

To learn more about the survey visit:  National RTAP

The North Central Kansas Coordinated Transit Council, along with KDOT and other area partners, is currently exploring the possibility of developing an experimental fixed route bus service. The proposed route would connect Salina, Abilene, Chapman, Junction City and Manhattan along Interstate 70.

To complete the survey, please follow the link: Dickinson County Survey

A new national poll finds older adults and people with disabilities feel there is a lack of accessible and reliable transportation alternatives, which prevents them from doing the things they need and want to do, which leaves them feeling frustrated, isolated, and trapped.

Read more here: MetroMagazine

Kansas’ storied past is filled with fascinating firsts, humorous coincidences, and intriguing characters. A wealthy Frenchman utilized his utopian ideals to create an award-winning silk-producing commune in Franklin County. A young boy’s amputated arm led to the rise of Sprint Corporation.

Visit: TravelKS