WMVO Good Times Great Oldies
The Knox County Board of Commissioners received an update this week on ongoing challenges within the county’s transit system, as rising demand continues to strain limited staffing and funding.
Transit Director Bethany Celmar reported that Knox County Transit completed more than 6,000 trips in March, a strong month despite several drivers being out on extended medical leave. Celmar has been driving routes herself to help maintain service levels. Even with those efforts, the agency has seen an increase in trip denials, particularly for residents trying to reach medical appointments such as therapy and cancer treatment.
Commissioners were briefed on the structural funding issues facing rural transit systems. Under federal rules, fare revenue reduces the amount of federal funding the agency can claim, meaning higher fares do not generate additional operating dollars. Instead, rural systems must secure local match funding to access federal grants. Knox County Transit is close to meeting its required match but still needs roughly $100,000 to fully leverage available federal support.
Celmar also informed the board that a transit vehicle was totaled in a February crash. No one was injured, and the county was not at fault, but federal rules require the replacement to be a new vehicle. The cost will exceed the insurance payout, and additional local funding will be needed to complete the purchase.
Operationally, the county’s flex routes have seen lower ridership since the system shifted to requiring riders to board at designated stops. Many riders are elderly or disabled and have difficulty walking to those locations. The agency is reviewing stop placement and considering a shift to hour‑long loops, which could allow more stops and reduce the need for transfers.
Despite the challenges, Celmar noted that the system continues to make progress in reducing transportation barriers. Data from Knox Community Hospital shows the percentage of patients reporting difficulty accessing transportation dropped from 41 percent in 2024 to 28 percent in 2025.