CityGo Transit System and Benefits for KWU Students

CityGo is Salina’s fixed-route public transportation system, operated by OCCK Transportation in partnership with the City of Salina and the Kansas Department of Transportation. The system runs through more than 80 percent of Salina and provides transportation throughout the community with five color-coded routes: Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, and Purple.

When prompted, life-long Salina resident Sara Johnston had this to say about the capabilities of the transit system, “As you drive through Salina, you see the CityGo benches everywhere… convenience seems to be their goal with the buses”. 

For college students, CityGo provides an affordable and convenient way to travel around Salina without having to rely on a personal vehicle.

One of the most useful routes for Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU) students is the Yellow 2 Route. The Yellow Route connects KWU campus to downtown Salina. It is useful for students who want to spend time off campus. It runs through important destinations like Walmart, Central Mall, Planet Plaza, and other areas of east and central Salina. The downtown connection is particularly valuable because students can use the central transfer area to reach other CityGo routes and expand the number of places they can visit.

CityGo could be especially beneficial for KWU students on nights when they go out with friends. Students who do not have cars, do not want to drive. This can make evenings out safer overall. It also lowers costs for gas, parking, or ride-share fees. KWU student CK Egbo frequents campus events and visits the city to explore Salina’s offerings.

“If I was not able to get a ride or drive, CityGo for sure could be a good alternative because it’s cheaper and runs through all the places you need to go” Egbo said.

There are also several other opportunities for KWU students through CityGo. Students can use the system to travel downtown for restaurants, entertainment, shopping, community events, and employment opportunities. The system can help students who have internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities away from campus. The Yellow Route connects major shopping areas and other community destinations. These connections can help students participate in activities outside the university. CityGo also offers transfer points between routes, allowing students to travel farther across Salina without needing their own vehicle.

Another major advantage is affordability. CityGo provides single-trip fares and passes, including digital passes through Token Transit. For college students trying to manage limited budgets, using public transportation regularly could be less expensive than maintaining a car.

CityGo provides KWU students with more independence and opportunities to experience Salina beyond just what’s on campus. The Yellow 2 Route is especially important because it connects KWU with downtown. This gives students a practical option for school, work, shopping, entertainment, and social activities. With better student awareness of routes and schedules, CityGo could become an even more valuable resource for the KWU community.