Cape Co. transit authority closes in on start of bus route

After a months-long gestation period, the new Cape Girardeau Transit Authority was born late Friday night as Kelley Transportation Co. Inc. shut down.

Early in the day, members of the authority board heard an update on transition efforts, getting details on everything from office furniture deliveries to vehicle striping and placement of bus-stop signs.

The furniture is on the way, most of the vehicles are finished and the signs have been produced but not placed, they learned.

"We're behind the eight-ball on a lot of stuff," chairman Doug Richards said. "But this thing is going to be fine."

The transit authority purchased Kelley Transportation's taxi business for $360,000 as part of an expansion that includes establishing Cape Girardeau's first fixed-route bus system in 37 years.

In addition to a regular taxi service, Kelley provided subsidized public transportation through a coupon program sponsored by Cape Girardeau city government.

The purchase ended a split between service inside and outside Cape Girardeau. Previously, the county transit agency could bring riders into Cape Girardeau and return them home but could not provide service between two locations within the city.

Service on the bus route begins at 6 a.m. July 10. Weekday service will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with service on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Until the buses start running, riders who used the coupon program will be able to use the taxi service during bus hours for the same cost as the coupons, which was $2 for the public per ride and $1 per ride for senior citizens and the disabled.

Bus service will cost $1.50 per ride for the public and 75 cents for seniors and the disabled. Heavy users of the bus will be able to purchase a day pass -- $4 for the public and $2.50 for seniors and the disabled. Monthly passes are also available, at a cost of $35 for seniors and $17.50 for the disabled.

The biggest unknown about the bus service, executive director Jeff Brune said, is how many riders will use it. The route travels through downtown Cape Girardeau, runs west to shopping and medical facilities and includes a loop through residential areas south of William Street between Sprigg Street and South West End Boulevard.

Two buses will be used initially, running about 40 minutes apart.

The 12-seat buses have standing room that will accommodate approximately six extra people. If demand is high, the authority has a third bus in reserve.

"A full bus is a good problem to have," Brune said.

If ridership exceeds demand, board members were told, appeals will go out to Cape Girardeau city and county governments for more support.

The board voted to give Brune authority to sign a cooperative agreement with Cape Girardeau so the money allocated for the taxi coupons can be used by the transit authority. Brune said he expect to sign the agreement after the Cape Girardeau City Council hears a transit consultant's report at Wednesday's council meeting.

With taxi service becoming more expensive, Richards said the board needs to address how to provide a lower-cost alternative for people who live outside areas served by the bus.

The authority will have to find funds to support such a service, Brune said. Once the money is identified, the service would only provide help in specific circumstances. "It would have to be for life needs, medical, nutrition," he said. "It is not for going to their buddy's house."

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126