Proposed public transportation cuts in Johnson County would shut down the county’s only route that serves Kansas University Medical Center.

Alice Amrein, director of transportation for Johnson County, said budgetary constraints were causing The JO bus service to look at eliminating eight routes and modifying service for nine others.

One of the routes proposed for elimination runs from 107th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park to 10th and Locust streets in downtown Kansas City, Mo.

That route serves about 11,000 rides a year and includes a stop at KUMC. While it is The JO’s only bus route that serves KUMC, Amrein said the campus is served by other area transportation routes in Kansas City, Kan.

“It’s not an ideal situation for us,” she said.

The cuts are not final, and the public can comment on the proposed changes by sending email to comments@thejo.com, by sending mail to Johnson County Transit, 1701 W. 56 Highway, Olathe KS 66061, or by leaving a phone message at 913-715-8255.

Public hearings are scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on July 9 and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on July 11 at the Sylvester Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway St., in Mission.

Amrein said the comments are taken seriously.

“We do have to do some service elimination, but this process gives us some idea about how we might do something different,” she said.