New mayor Jeff Longwell is getting to work on some of the city's problems and, on Thursday, he was talking transit. KMUW's Aileen LeBlanc reports.
Longwell says that Wichita's transit system will be $2 million short of needed funds by January of 2016. He said in a media briefing that the transit system is not just for those who need the bus, but for the attraction of businesses, and for tourism and convention opportunities.
"And recognizing that we're going to have the NCAA convention in Wichita Kansas in 2017, you can't prop transit up just for that convention," Longwell said.
Longwell pointed out that efficiencies in the system can be built up such as van pools and park-and-rides. But no matter what, a new source of funding is needed. All ideas are on the table including tax increases or a sales tax.