Friday, Apr. 25, 2008

City expects grant for taxi program

Olathe’s taxi coupon program could get some much-needed funding.

The city has applied for more than $400,000 in federal grant money, and city officials are optimistic the city will get it.

Kathy Rankin, the city’s neighborhood and human services manager, said the funding hasn’t been approved yet but has been recommended for Olathe by area transportation organizations.

“At this point, I don’t foresee it being declined or being reduced,” she said.

The city was last awarded grant funding for the program two years ago. It received $135,000.

The program provides discounted one-way rides — sold by the city in $25 books of 10 that include a $2 coupon plus a 50 cent gas surcharge — to senior citizens, disabled residents and those who can’t afford transportation anywhere in Olathe.

It runs from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The city also offers $1 coupons in books of five for trips that include only a five-minute stop.

Rankin said the grant funding will allow the city to expand its service for medical rides to address the increased participation in the program. She said the city would explore additional evening and weekend services.

Funding for the program, which began in 1977, almost was reduced in this year’s budget but after a significant public outcry, city councilmembers elected to keep funding the service at the same level as in 2007.

The two grants the city has applied for likely would keep the program from being cut next year in what is anticipated to be a challenging budget year.

“Any time when funds are tight, the city must look at all programs on how can we best address the needs of our citizens with the limited funds we have,” Rankin said. “... That’s not to say that it would be eliminated. It would have to be looked at to see if there were ways to maybe reduce some expenses or obtain additional funds, which we were able to do.”

Rankin said receiving the grant funding wouldn’t deter the city from pursuing public-private partnerships to provide additional funding for the program.

She said a city focus group formed to examine the city’s transportation needs has established sub-committees to look into alternative funding sources, education and marketing and program services.

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