HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Those who use RCAT to get to Walmart will be exchanging a bus transfer at the Mall for a longer walk to the store entrance.
Reno County Commissioners approved a proposal from RCAT that would move the bus system transfer station from the Uptown Hutch parking lot to Walmart.
Currently the bus system has one route that goes to Walmart. If you're not on that bus, you need to transfer to another bus at Uptown Hutch and then make the short trip over to Walmart.
Director Barb Lilyhorn says that it will be safer for RCAT and riders because of the congestion problems the buses were causing by stopping at the store front door. Now the transfer point will be in the far northwest corner of the store's parking lot leaving a more than 425 foot walk for riders.
Commissioners questioned the ability of patrons, especially the elderly and those with limited mobility to make the long walk, especially in bad weather. Commissioner Ron Sellers asked if the buses would stop at the front door of Walmart. Lilyhorn said no.
The new transfer point will eliminate about 20 parking spaces for the store. The buses will congregate at the transfer point each hour throughout the day.