CAPE COUNTY TRANSIT MOVES TO NEW LOCATION

Cape County Transit has moved to a new location at the corner of High Street and Jefferson in Jackson.

Dareld Davis, project manager, said that the private not for profit corporation moved to the new location, because the old location at John Dudley's Architect Building no longer had room for Cape County Transit.

The move shouldn't impact the transportation service, since they operate on an appointment basis and have little to no walk-ins, according to Davis.

The service is open to the general public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Davis said that the transit service handles on average about 15 people per day.

The Cape County Transit fleet currently consists of four vehicles. They have two seven passenger mini-vans and one 14 passenger van. They also have one 14 passenger van that has been converted to hold six regular passengers and one wheelchair passenger.

"A lot of people don't understand how we work. We work by appointment. We will pick them up at the appointed time and take them anywhere in the county," Davis said.

The Cape County Transit can not pick people up in Cape Girardeau and take them to a destination inside Cape Girardeau. They can take anyone outside of Cape Girardeau to Cape Girardeau. And they can take anyone from Cape Girardeau to any other destination inside the county, according to Davis.

People wishing to use the service should call to make an appointment. Davis said that it is best to make that appointment at least one day in advance.

Gene Cunningham, a driver for Cape County Transit, said, "we are here to serve the public, primarily we serve the senior citizens and the disabled."

Cunningham said he enjoys his work. "You have to like people. We help a lot of these people getting into the van and with their groceries," he added.

"We transport people everywhere. We transport some people to the senior citizens center, and we would like to transport more," Davis said.

"There are a lot of people that don't know about us," Davis said.

There is no fee for the ride, but a recommended donation list is posted in each vehicle. These recommended donations range from $2 to $6 depending on length of travel.

Anyone in need of transportation should call the new office at 243-1835 to set up an appointment.