SALINA, Kan. – Osage County Public Transportation will receive $222,400 for new vehicles as part of a $13.2 million federal public transit program, Gov. Laura Kelly announced earlier this month.

Joined by Federal Transit Administration Administrator Nuria Fernandez and Kansas Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz, April 7, 2022, at Salina, Kan., Kelly announced the money would help fund 48 public transit projects across the state.

“A strong, safe public transportation system is critical to our state’s economy and quality of life,” Kelly said. “Projects like wheelchair accessible busses, upgraded bus facilities, and route and parking lot enhancements will ensure Kansans have access to adequate, safe, and well-maintained public transportation.”

The money will go to 26 transit agencies as part of the Access, Innovation, and Collaboration Public Transit Program. Project types include constructing bus maintenance facilities to aid in fleet management, upgraded transit accessibility following the Americans with Disabilities Act, advanced technologies, and expanded low emissions transit operations. Both urban and rural transit providers receive support from the AIC program, which will improve transit access and services for Kansans.

The selected projects have a total cost of about $17 million, with the AIC program providing about $13 million ($2 million state, $11 million federal) of the funds.

The grants ranged from $1,552 for Butler County Department on Aging’s technology upgrades to $1,043,802 for Community Health Center to develop a regional transportation facility for southeast Kansas and Crawford County. Osage County’s $222,400 grant is earmarked for public transit vehicles.

Information thanks to Kansas Office of the Governor.