Lyon County Area Transportation is “doubling down” on its on-demand service, following direction from the county Commissioners Thursday morning.
During the commission’s regular meeting, LCAT Director Shane Brunner received approval to cease operating the agency’s deviated fixed-route system effective July 1. While speaking with KVOE News, Brunner explained that the deviated fixed route is exactly that: a fixed bus route with some room for deviation within a certain radius.
The route will be replaced with an on-demand service, which will require a 24-hour advance notice from riders. Brunner says they can accommodate some same-day rides; however, for the pickup to be guaranteed, 24-hour prior notice will be the best course of action. Brunner says this change is something the agency has been thinking over for some time, pointing to a decrease in ridership for the deviated route since the COVID-19 pandemic as a major cause.
Brunner says the cost for the on-demand service will be the same as the deviated route, $2 with no additional cost, adding he believes riders will be getting a “slightly better service.” For those who wish to schedule an on-demand ride once it goes into effect, you can call the LCAT office by dialing 620-343-4207.
In other business on Thursday, commissioners approved a pair of purchase requests from Lyon County Engineer Chip Woods for steel piping from Gateway Pipe, Inc. for just over $20,500 and the purchase of one tank car and ten plates from Railroad Yard Inc for more than $33,000. IT Director Jean Barnett and Jamie Williams also submitted an amendment to a purchase request for MFA hardware and software due to a price change from $22,654.40 to $22,854.40. The new software and hardware will be installed on 120 county computers.
Additionally, the IT Department sought approval to renew the Courthouse SonicWall firewall license for three years for more than $6,600. Both requests were approved.
Lyon County Emergency Communications Center Director Roxanne Van Gundy then sought approval for out-of-state travel for herself, Deputy Director Sarah Jensen and Alex Smith to attend the 2025 NENA conference and Expo in Long Beach, California. Commissioners approved the travel request unanimously. One executive session for non-elected personnel matters was also held with no action taken following.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its weekly action meeting next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers.
