MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Reno County Commission Approves Transit Fare Changes, Equipment Upgrades, and Program Funding
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission approved a series of measures this week impacting public transportation, law enforcement technology, and community-based services.
Beginning July 1, fares for Reno County Area Transit (RCAT) will be restructured following a recommendation from the Reno County Public Transportation Commission and the Kansas Department of Transportation. Discounted fares for seniors, students, children, and individuals with disabilities will be eliminated. However, all riders will now pay the former reduced rates.
Under the new structure, fixed-route fares will be 50 cents, demand-response service in Hutchinson and South Hutchinson will cost $2, paratransit rides will be $1, and countywide service will be $4.
County officials say the lower, uniform pricing is expected to increase ridership while maintaining stable overall fare revenue.
Commissioners also approved the purchase of new body and in-car camera systems for the Reno County Sheriff’s Office. The $346,396 investment includes 23 vehicle-mounted cameras and 43 body cameras through Motorola, replacing an outdated system that required multiple manual processes. Officials say the upgrade will improve efficiency and reduce long-term data storage costs.
In other action, the Commission approved a total of $98,502 in grants from opioid settlement funds and alcohol tax revenue. Horizons Mental Health Center will receive $63,502 to provide a free 12-week substance use education program for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Reno County Community Corrections will receive $35,000 combined to support the creation of a care coordinator and program provider position. The role will lead weekly group sessions and assist clients with housing and employment needs.
Additionally, commissioners approved a contract with Extract Systems to redact approximately 500,000 pages of property records before making them available online. The project, aimed at protecting sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, is expected to cost about $60,000.
The next Reno County Commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, in the Veterans Room of the Reno County Courthouse.