Transportation is More Than a Ride
By: JK Vann
Transportation has come up time and time again in community surveys, conversations, and meetings across Reno County. Whether the concern is getting to a medical appointment, finding reliable transportation to work, picking up groceries, or accessing community resources--one thing has become clear: transportation can be a significant barrier to accessing the services people need.
The Nonprofit Resource Council (NRC) began hearing these concerns repeatedly through community conversations and its regular meetings. At the same time, the council was asking important questions of its own, like “How can we make the greatest contribution to our community?” and “Should our work remain focused on sharing events and resources, or is there a larger purpose that connects the organizations around the table?”
After reviewing the Reno County Community Health Improvement Plan, the NRC voted to make transportation an actionable priority. The goal was not simply to identify a problem, but to explore what could be done collectively to address it.
To better understand the challenges residents may face, NRC members participated in a group outing using Reno County Area Transit, commonly known as RCAT. The trip served as a practical way to experience public transportation firsthand and consider how accessible it is for people trying to navigate everyday life. The experience brought several barriers to light and raised questions about the practicality of using existing transportation options to meet different needs.
Then, the NRC shared its feedback with RCAT and scheduled a follow-up meeting to learn more about the service, its challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Those conversations provided a clearer picture of the realities involved in expanding public transportation including funding, staffing, vehicle availability, fuel costs, and other operational needs. These insights also opened the door to further conversations with additional community partners about how transportation challenges might be addressed together.
One thing quickly became clear: the answer is not necessarily only limited to the expansion of RCAT. Because while public transportation is an important resource, expanding one service alone may not address the full range of transportation needs throughout Reno County. Instead, the council began looking at transportation as a system.
Rethinking transportation means taking inventory of the resources already available, identifying where gaps exist, and exploring creative ways to connect people with the transportation they need.
It also means looking beyond Hutchinson. Residents throughout Reno County face transportation challenges, and the solutions must reflect the needs of both urban and rural communities.
For some, the challenge may be finding a ride to a medical appointment. For others, it could mean getting to a second-shift job when traditional transportation services are unavailable. Peprahs the challenge is traveling home with groceries, or accessing disability-friendly transportation, or reaching services that support recovery and stability.
The needs are different, and a single transportation option may not work for everyone. By understanding the services that already exist and where they fall short, NRC hopes to help identify practical ways to close those gaps.
The council has begun mapping local transportation resources and exploring how different sectors can contribute to the conversation. Healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, transportation services, educational institutions, and other community partners all have a role to play in understanding the challenges and identifying potential solutions.
But, why does this matter to Reno County? At its core, this effort is about access. Reno County has services and resources available to help people improve their health, find employment, support their families, and work toward greater stability. But those resources can only make a difference when people can reach them. When transportation becomes a barrier, access to essential services becomes limited. Addressing that barrier creates opportunities for individuals and families while strengthening the community as a whole.
The goal is not to place the responsibility for solving every transportation challenge on one organization or service. It is to build a better understanding of the resources we have, the needs that remain unmet, and the partnerships that could help bridge the gaps.
Transportation is a community resource, and finding ways to make it more accessible will require a community-wide effort.
The Nonprofit Resource Council welcomes community members and organizations interested in learning more about this work or contributing to the conversation. The NRC meets on the second Friday of each month at 9 a.m. at United Way of Reno County office. If you would like more information or are interested in attending a meeting, we invite you to join us as we continue exploring ways to improve access to essential services throughout Reno County. If you would like to attend the next NRC meeting, please give our office a call: 620-669-9329 or email JK Vann directly at: jvann@uwrenocounty.org.