KU, Lawrence bus systems considering merger

A merger may be in the works for Lawrence’s two bus services.

A task force convened by Kansas University officials this summer is studying a variety of transportation issues on campus, including whether to merge parts or all of the campus KU on Wheels service with Lawrence Public Transit, the city’s service.

“We’re seeing what we can do to collaborate,” said Danny Kaiser, assistant dean of students and chairman of the task force. “If that collaboration ends up in a merger, so be it.”

Talk of merging the two services has persisted since Lawrence Public Transit – popularly called the “T” – was started in 2001.

But several obstacles have stood in the way, including the fact that the city receives federal funds for its bus system, which requires the T to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Many campus buses are not ADA equipped.

Also, KU on Wheels is entirely funded by student fees, and student leaders haven’t been interested in helping fund the city’s system.

But representatives of both groups said increased collaboration – including a complete merger – is on the table.

“I think at this point we’re open to anything, as long as we can work something out,” said Anton Bengtson, a member of the KU transportation board. “Nothing is unrealistic at this point.”

Kansas University and city officials are discussing a possible merger between the KU on Wheels and the T bus systems. One goal would be to eliminate duplicate routes.

City Manager Mike Wildgen, who has been attending task force meetings, said it was too early to predict an outcome but said he was open to a merged system.

“We’re not trying to take it over,” he said of KU on Wheels. “But it may be possible to cooperate as one system. There may be some efficiencies there.”

Kaiser said one benefit would be preventing duplication of routes offered by the two systems. KU on Wheels already has cut several routes also covered by the T to save money. He said some college towns have opted to merge systems, while others have kept separate bus lines that have close cooperation.

One possibility would be relying on the T to get students to KU, then using KU on Wheels to get them around campus once they’re there. Kaiser said the task force was looking at a new shuttle system to get students, faculty and staff between the main campus and west campus, where a new park-and-ride lot will open in fall 2006.

Ultimately, Kaiser said, the merger would only happen if it made sense for riders and the budgets of both systems.

“Nobody is there to solve anybody else’s problems,” he said. “We’d only do something if it was a mutually beneficial proposition across the board.”