Editorial

Tabs on transit

Now that the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority has taken over bus and taxi services in Cape Girardeau, it is taking a hard-nosed business approach to ongoing operations.

At a meeting earlier this month, board members said they want detailed information -- ridership, cost of services, revenue generated, administrative expenses -- before every meeting, which for the time being will be held every two weeks.

The transit authority's services in Cape Girardeau began in early July after purchasing Kelley Transportation Co. Most of the bus and taxi services are heavily subsidized by various grants, and the transit system contracts with some agencies to provide specialized services to their clientele.

The shuttle vans being used for the fixed-route bus service have become a familiar sight along the route that extends from one side of town to the other, stopping at shopping and medical stops along the way.

Wide dissemination of the transit authority's biweekly statistical reports would help the public understand how well the county services are meeting their objectives while, at the same time, indicating areas that either aren't going well are aren't really needed.

With most of the funding for the transit system coming from taxpayers, it's logical and prudent to keep them informed about how their money is being spent.

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