public transportation

Public Transit Helps Keep Veterans and Service Members Moving

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Public transportation provides essential mobility options for veterans. And veterans help keep public transit rolling by working for public transportation systems around the country.

Please read more on this blog post from Voices for Public Transit.

Thank you again to all the brave veterans who are keeping Americans safe at home and abroad.

Learn about Transportation Services for Salina and Saline County

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The Salina area has a wide array of transportation services to meet the needs of its citizens.   Everything from general public fixed route bus service, paratransit, taxi services, and more.  Read more to find out what service best works for you:

https://salinacitygo.com/transportation-services-2/

 

OCCK Transportation Plans Ribbon Cutting for 81 Connection

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For Immediate Release

September 7, 2017

Salina, Kansas – OCCK Transportation has scheduled a ribbon cutting for 81 Connection on Friday, September 15th at 11:00 a.m. at 340 N. Santa Fe, Salina.

81 Connection is the new regional fixed route bus service that runs from Belleville to Salina, three times daily, Monday through Friday.  The route officially started on September 5th and has stops in Belleville, Concordia, Highway 24 Junction, Minneapolis and Salina.

Members of the Kansas Department of Transportation will be in attendance with a short speech by Catherine Patrick, State Transportation Engineer.  The Salina Chamber of Commerce will facilitate the ribbon cutting.

The general public is encouraged to attend.

For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit www.occk.com.  For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit www.salinacitygo.com.  For more information about 81 Connection, visit www.ksrides.org, or, contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

2‑1‑1 phone number makes it easier to find help or volunteer

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What is United Way 2-1-1 of Kansas?

  •  2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities.
  • United Way 2-1-1 covers the state of Kansas.
  • In 2000 the FCC assigned the 2-1-1 phone number to be used only for community information and referral nationwide.

What types of services does United Way 2-1-1 help callers find?

  • Resources for basic human needs: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.
  • Support for older individuals and persons with disabilities: adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services.
  • Support for children, youth and families:  child care, after-school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and
    recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.
  • Physical and mental health resources:  Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, Children’s Health Insurance Program, health
    clinics, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.
  • Employment supports: job training, transportation assistance, education programs.

What are the hours of operation?

  • Statewide service is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How does it benefit Kansans?

  • Benefits to Users:
    • 2-1-1 is an easy way to find help or give help.
    • One call gives people access to 1000s of resources in Kansas communities.
    • All 2-1-1 calls are confidential and free (cell phone calls that reach 2-1-1 may have usual cell charges).
  • Benefits as a Crisis Tool:
    • During and after a tornado, flood, terrorist attack or other tragedy, 2-1-1 is a ready-to use number. There is no need to wait for an information system to be set up when a crisis occurs.
    • One call can connect people to needed human services during a crisis. One call also quickly connects volunteers to local needs in a local tragedy.
    • Since 2-1-1 is a permanent number, people can find help whether their needs arise a week or several months after a tragedy.
  • Community Benefits:
    • 2-1-1 acts as a social barometer—providing statistical information on what needs callers are presenting county by county  throughout the state.
    • 2-1-1 maintains the integrity of the 9-1-1 system—saving that vital community service for life and death emergencies.
    • 2-1-1 strengthens the community by uniting people in the area who want to help with those who need help.

How is the service funded?

  •  Startup Sponsors: Kansas Health Foundation, Capitol Federal, Cessna Aircraft Company, Preferred Health Systems; In kind support:  Royal Caribbean International
  • General contributions to United Way

 

 

81 Connection to Start September 5th with Complimentary Fares for 90 Days

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August 28, 2017

Salina, Kansas – The new fixed route bus service from Belleville to Salina, 81 Connection, will start running on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

For the first 90 days of operation, complimentary fares will be offered for all riders.

The 81 Connection bus service will have three bi-directional trips each day, Monday through Friday.  The first route will start in Belleville at 6:45 a.m., then head south on Highway 81 to three stops in Concordia, a stop at the Highway 24/Highway 81 junction, a stop in Minneapolis and stop at 7th and Walnut and Walmart in Salina and then head back to north to the same stops.  This route will do this loop twice and finish in Belleville around 5:40 p.m. each day.

A second route will leave Salina at 1:00 p.m. and head north on Highway 81 to the same stop in Minneapolis, the stop at the Highway 24/Highway 81 junction, three stops in Concordia and the stop in Belleville, before heading back to Salina with the same stops.  The bus will finish in Salina around 6:00 p.m. each day.

The official times are here:

 

Bus Stop SB Link 1* SB Link 2* SB Link 3*
Belleville—Casey’s 6:45 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:41 p.m.
Concordia—Washington & 7th 7:10 a.m. 1:25 p.m. 4:06 p.m.
Concordia—OCCK, Inc. 7:20 a.m. 1:35 p.m. 4:16 p.m.
Concordia—Walmart 7:30 a.m. 1:45 p.m. 4:26 p.m.
Highway 24 Junction 7:49 a.m. 2:04 p.m. 4:45 p.m.
Minneapolis—Casey’s 8:16 a.m. 2:31 p.m. 5:12 p.m.
Salina—7th & Walnut 8:49 a.m. 3:04 p.m. 5:45 p.m.
Salina—Walmart 9:01 a.m.** 3:16 p.m.** 5:57 p.m.
Bus Stop NB Link 1* NB Link 2* NB Link 3*
Salina—7th & Walnut n/a 1:00 p.m. n/a
Salina—Walmart 9:26 a.m. 1:17 p.m. 3:41 p.m.
Minneapolis—Casey’s 9:59 a.m. 1:50 p.m. 4:14 p.m.
Highway 24 Junction 10:26 a.m. 2:17 p.m. 4:41 p.m.
Concordia—Walmart 10:45 a.m. 2:36 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Concordia—OCCK, Inc. 10:55 a.m. 2:46 p.m. 5:10 p.m.
Concordia—Washington & 7th 11:05 a.m. 2:56 p.m. 5:20 p.m.
Belleville—Casey’s 11:25 a.m. 3:16 p.m.** 5:40 p.m.

*SB stands for Southbound.  NB stands for Northbound.
**Arrival time.  The bus will be emptied and secured during a 20 minute driver break.

Poles and signs have been installed at the stop locations.

The 81 Connection will be operated and managed by OCCK Transportation.  Initial funding for the project came from the Earl Bane Foundation, who provide the 30% local match, as well as the Kansas Department of Transportation, who provided the remaining 70%.

“We are ready to get this route started for north central Kansas,” said Michelle Griffin, Mobility Manager for the region.  “We have been working really hard the last few months to get all of the necessary pieces in place to provide this service.  We hope people are as excited about the opportunity as we are.  We are looking forward to working with these communities to enhance transportation options.”

For more information about the 81 Connection and Kansas Rides, visit www.ksrides.org.  For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit www.occk.com.  For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit www.salinacitygo.com. Or, contact Michelle Griffin, Mobility Manager (mgriffin@occk.com), or the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

Ellsworth Celebrates 150 years with Big Event August 17-20, 2017

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From 1867-2017, Ellsworth is a thriving community that is full of rich heritage and history.  From damaging floods to Wild Bill Hickock and Indian ravages to wild west gunfights and gambling halls, Ellsworth has prospered and flourished, and is proud to be a community that not only sustains, but continues to grow.

​As we celebrate 150 years, we celebrate and honor this heritage, and invite everyone to join in our celebration.  We are proud to call this home, and forever know that “Abilene, the first; Dodge City, the last, but Ellsworth, the wickedest” is a phrase that represents our tenacity.  From then to now, Ellsworth is a proud community with a welcoming spirit.  So, please join us this August and help us celebrate!

Read more here – https://www.ellsworthcowtowndays.com/

81 Connection Fixed Route Bus Service Time Table Announced

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August 8, 2017

Salina, Kansas – The bus stop times and locations for the 81 Connection fixed route service from Salina to Belleville have been announced.

The Kansas Rides 81 Connection will serve Highway 81 locations from Belleville to Salina with a tentative start date of September 5, 2017.

The 81 Connection bus service will have three bi-directional trips each day, Monday through Friday.  The first route will start in Belleville at 6:45 a.m., then head south on Highway 81 to three stops in Concordia, a stop at the Highway 24/Highway 81 junction, a stop in Minneapolis and stop at 7th and Walnut and Walmart in Salina and then head back to north to the same stops.  This route will do this loop twice and finish in Belleville around 5:40 p.m. each day.

A second route will leave Salina at 1:00 p.m. and head north on Highway 81 to the same stop in Minneapolis, the stop at the Highway 24/Highway 81 junction, three stops in Concordia and the stop in Belleville, before heading back to Salina with the same stops.  The bus will finish in Salina around 6:00 p.m. each day.

The official times are here:

Poles and signs will be installed in the coming weeks at each of the stop locations.

The 81 Connection will be operated and managed by OCCK Transportation.  Initial funding for the project came from the Earl Bane Foundation, who provide the 30% local match, as well as the Kansas Department of Transportation, who provided the remaining 70%.

“We are really excited about starting the 81 Connection and this is one more step in making that happen,” said Michelle Griffin, Mobility Manager for the region.  “The goal of public transportation is to be efficient, affordable and effective.  With this route, we hope to meet the needs of the citizens in north central Kansas who need to be able to travel from county to county for whatever reason.”
For more information about the 81 Connection and Kansas Rides, visit www.ksrides.org.  For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit www.occk.com.  For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit www.salinacitygo.com. Or, contact Michelle Griffin, Mobility Manager (mgriffin@occk.com), or the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

 

Your Input is Requested!

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The Kansas Department of Transportation is completing plans across the state for coordinating transit service for seniors, persons with disabilities, and low-income persons. The goal of the plans is to identify opportunities for individual transportation agencies/providers to team with each other or with public transit providers in their service area to expand travel options for people. Gathering input from interested public, human services agencies, community leaders, and businesses is very important to the planning effort. Thus, a series of open house meetings have been scheduled across the state.

KDOT Information, News and Projects Specific to Your Area

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District 2:  North Central Kansas

Keep up on what’s happening with KDOT projects within the region on their website:  http://www.ksdot.org/divoperat/district2.asp

Other regions are available as well.

All Aboard! Next Stop, Less Obesity.

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The idea that mass transit helps fight obesity makes intuitive sense. Taking the bus or train usually means walking to your final destination, thus providing an automatic period of pound-shedding daily exercise.

Read more here:  https://psmag.com/news/subway-really-is-the-key-to-healthy-living