TOPEKA, KS ( September 11, 2023) -- As part of the 2023 Kansas Public Transit Association/Midwest Transit Conference, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region VII honored Topeka Metro for increased ridership. The awards ceremony took place in Kansas City, Missouri at the Westin Crown Center on Friday, September 8, 2023.

Representatives with the Federal Transit Association Region VII were on hand to honor public transit organizations from Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. Mokhtee Ahmed, FTA Regional 7 Regional Administrator, presented the award to Topeka Metro General Manager Bob Nugent for the Award of Excellence for highest urban public transit systems with populations less than 200,000 for the 2021 fiscal year.

TOPEKA, KANSAS (August 22, 2023) -- As part of the 2023 South West Transit Association (SWTA) Summer University conference, Topeka Metro earned a Spotlight award for the MOD (Metro On-Demand) microtransit marketing campaign. The awards luncheon ceremony took place on Monday, August 14, 2023, at the Wichita Hyatt Regency.

The SWTA Spotlight Awards are celebrated annually, recognizing excellence and innovation in public transportation. The awards celebrate the exceptional efforts and contributions of transit agencies and organizations across the region that have made a significant impact on their communities and categorized by size of transit agency ridership. Topeka Metro's award was for a comprehensive campaign that included creation of an original branded logo, bus wraps, promotional materials, postcards, a new website, social media posts and earned media exposure through newspaper and television. 

The MOD (Metro On-Demand) is curb-to-curb transportation operated by Topeka Metro and offered only in a section of southeast Topeka. The service started on January 30, 2023, and has continued to grow ridership. MOD uses mobile technology to offer trips on-demand within specified zones. It is more flexible than the rigid fixed routes and paratransit and considered a premier service getting passengers where they need to go quickly. The fare is $2 for a one-way trip.  

SWTA is a regional transit association serving eight states--Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas, of which Topeka Metro is a member.

TOPEKA, KAN. (JULY 20, 2023) – The Topeka Metro board of directors has approved for the 2023-24 academic year, that all high school students with a valid student ID can ride fixed bus routes for free. Paratransit users will need to apply for eligibility.

“Topeka Metro considers providing transportation an essential service and that includes getting students to school,” said Bob Nugent, Topeka Metro General Manager. "By providing their own school ID, the student can just hop on the Metro bus and take which route they need to travel to school, work, home, or elsewhere within our route system. We will work diligently to make sure that students, parents or caregivers are aware of this opportunity."

To ride free, high school students will only need to present their valid student ID for the 2023-24 school year.

Nugent said, "We want to remind everyone that the Kids Ride FREE! promotion for youth 18 and under is still in effect until Tuesday, August 15, 2023."

TOPEKA, KAN. (July 10, 2023) -- On Friday, July 7, 2023, the Topeka Metro board of directors held a special meeting at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library to vote on proposed service changes that would take effect September 3, 2023. Public meetings were held by Topeka Metro on June 23, 27 and 28, 2023, and comments were accepted through July 7.

General Manager Bob Nugent said, “We monitor service on all the routes and continually share this information with the board. They are aware of what is happening within the system. These proposed changes are the result of both poor route performance and our ongoing issues with recruiting and maintaining an adequate workforce.” 

The board voted on the following proposed changes and/or reductions:

• #3 East 6th Street Route – Eliminate service on Rice Road.
• #12 Huntoon Route – Eliminate half-hour peak service and go to hourly service all day.
• #17 West 17th Route - Eliminate half hour peak service and go to hourly service all day.
• Time points – Make time point adjustments at various stops on all routes.

(July 10, 2023) -- Topeka Metro will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2023 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The buses will not be operating and offices are closed. Please make alternative transportation plans for that day if needed. Topeka Metro will resume normal operations on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. 

Topeka Metro will present information and obtain public input regarding proposed service changes and reductions to be effective August 6, 2023.

The proposed changes or service reductions affect four Topeka Metro routes:

• #3 East 6th Street Route: Propose to eliminate Rice Rd. on this route
• #12 Huntoon Route: Propose to eliminate half-hour service and make it hourly only
• #17 West 17th Street Route: Propose to eliminate half-hour service and make it hourly only
• #21 West 21st Street Route: There are two stops at the Veteran's Administration. The proposal is to eliminate the inbound stop and have outbound only

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and offer input on these proposed service changes. Three public meetings are scheduled prior to a special Board of Directors Decision Meeting. The public can also attend the special Board meeting.

The public meetings will have an open house format allowing members of the public to come and go freely, while providing an opportunity to obtain information, ask questions of Topeka Metro Staff, and provide comments. Comments will also be accepted through the Decision Meeting on July 7, 2023, in person at the Quincy Street Station (820 SE Quincy St.), by phone at 785-783-7000, by fax at 785-354-8476, on the website at https://www.topekametro.org/contact-us, and via regular mail. 

Public Meeting #1             When:           Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
                                              Where:          Quincy Street Station Lobby 
                                                                     820 SE Quincy St.

Public Meeting #2             When:          Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 7:00 am – 9:00 am
                                              Where:         Quincy Street Station Lobby
                                                                    820 SE Quincy St.

Public Meeting #3             When:          Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
                                              Where:         Quincy Street Station Lobby
                                                                    820 SE Quincy St.

Decision Meeting             When:           Friday, July 7, 2023, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
                                             Where:          Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library 
                                                                   1515 SW 10th Ave., Marvin Auditorium 101A

Requests for ADA accommodation must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting by calling Topeka Metro customer service at 785-783-7000. The Public Meeting notice in Spanish is available by clicking this link.