Cape already acted on many of consultant's transit ideas

~ The report recommends a fixed-route bus service and consolidation of transit programs under one agency.

Many of the steps recommended by a consultant for improving public transit in Cape Girardeau have already been taken, Frank Spielberg of BMI-SG told the city council Wednesday night.

Spielberg reported on the results of a two-year, $225,000 study of public transit needs during the council's meeting. The report recommends establishment of a fixed-route bus service, consolidation of transit programs under one agency and a quarter-cent countywide sales tax to pay for the system.

A quarter-cent sales tax would provide an annual revenue of $3 million, while the projected transit authority budget in the first year is slightly more than $1.2 million.

The fixed-route bus system will begin at 6 a.m. Monday, with buses running every 40 minutes on an east-west route that includes a loop into the southern part of the city. The bus route is being established by the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority, which bought out Kelley Transportation Co. Inc. last month.

The tax issue, however, hasn't been part of any discussions of growth for the transit authority and won't, director Jeff Brune said, until the authority has had time to assess future needs.

"This is a perfect example of things catching up with you before you are ready for them," Spielberg said. "This is one of the few times that our recommendations have been implemented before we release our report."

After hearing the report, the council voted to approve a contract with the transit authority. The contract calls for the city to provide $69,880 in subsidy payments during the coming year to support the bus route, an amount equal to the city's direct spending to support the taxi coupon program it replaces.

During its study, BMI-SG held public forums, visited shopping areas to conduct surveys and conducted a telephone poll to sample public opinion. What BMI-SG found, Spielberg said, was widespread discontent with the services Kelley Transportation and the city were providing.

The most pressing demand was for a fixed-route bus system, the report found. The least pressing demand was for 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service.

In addition to agreeing to financially support the transit authority, the council passed a resolution offering political support. "It has been a long time coming. It is something we have needed for so many years," Councilwoman Loretta Schneider said.

The extra money needed for public transit includes a vision of a dedicated storage, maintenance and dispatch facility for the transit system, Spielberg said. The report also includes a prediction that after the 2010 U.S. Census, Cape Girardeau will move to a different federal classification for its transit program. That will mean addition federal funding, the report notes, but could also require additional local support.

After the meeting, Spielberg said the tax proposal was included in the recommendations to free the transit system from the yearly budget decisions that determine how much, or whether, local governments will support it.

"They need a capital program, and their other option is to come back to the city and county each year," he said.

State law allows the transit authority board to request that the county commission place a sales-tax issue on the ballot. Brune said he's not contemplating any such step.

The projected budget for the first year of operation includes funding from numerous sources in addition to the city. Federal matching funds play a big role, but fares from the taxi and courier services purchased from Kelley will also play a major part.

"We've got our budget planned out for next year," Brune said. "We are comfortable with our revenue stream. That leaves tax consideration in the future, and it may not be necessary."

The only issue that raised questions among council members is the makeup of the transit authority's board. Councilwoman Marcia Ritter questioned whether Cape Girardeau has adequate representation on the five-member board.

The contract approved Wednesday calls for the city to be represented by at least two of the five members.

County Commissioner Jay Purcell addressed that concern. "I would respectfully suggest that two out of the five is adequate. We have always maintained that the board represents all the citizens of the county."

Purcell added that the council will have the ultimate oversight by electing each year to increase or decrease its stake in the transit authority.

"The greatest power is the power of the purse," Purcell said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245