York County transit system sees 30% cut from NDOT; director ‘concerned’ for riders

YORK, Neb. (KLKN) — The public transit system in York County faces a bumpy road after state and federal cuts.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation is decreasing its funding of the county’s transit system by 30%.

The director of York County Aging Services and Transportation, Lori Byers, said the cuts have already had an impact.

“Our budget that we had to submit based on the 30% cut is actually $5,400 less than our current year’s operating budget,” she said.

In a press release, York County said federal cuts are limiting funding.

The public transit system is for everyone but mainly provides rides for the elderly, those with disabilities or those who can’t drive themselves.

Byers said the big funding cut could impact those in need.

“So anybody that uses a wheelchair or mobility device kind of relies on us for all of their transportation needs,” she said. “And so if we can’t get them to a doctor’s appointment, and they have a mobility issue, they’re going to have a hard time finding other people to help them. That’s where I’m concerned.”

She said the department planned to make upgrades to its vehicles and dispatch system, and possibly increase staff pay, but now will have to reevaluate.

“We’re going to have to make some cuts somewhere,” she said. “We’re going to try to do more with less, become more efficient with taxpayers’ money, which we always try to do. So it’s kind of hard to do it even more when there’s so many cuts coming.”