County transit increases load; demand for taxi coupons slips

While the demand for Cape Girardeau Transit Authority services increased again in 2004, fewer and fewer Cape Girardeau city residents are using taxi coupons.

In fiscal year 2004, the transit authority provided 29,448 trips, up 1,623, or 6 percent. Meanwhile, taxi coupon usage decreased to 56,208, down 5,143 or 8 percent.

Kim Kelley of Kelley Transportation, the taxi company who has the contract for the coupons, said there are many reasons why coupon usage has been dropping for several years.

"There are so many agencies out there now, nonprofit agencies that get funding for transportation," she said. "Years ago, we didn't have that many agencies."

She also said more seniors have their own vehicles now than they used to and added that low interest rates over the past couple of years have made vehicles more affordable.

In some cases, Kelley may have lost coupon business, but has picked other business and perhaps even the same clients. Kelley also contracts from agencies like the Workforce Investment Board and the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging.

In other cases, some of Kelley's clients are going elsewhere.

The SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence saw its trips increase from 2,395 to 4,145 from 2003 to 2004.

SADI director Miki Gudermuth said people who have a choice between SADI and taxis generally choose SADI. However, many use both, she said, because there are times when the taxis can provide rides (the evenings, for example) and SADI can't.

She also said other places like nursing homes are providing more transportation services.

"It's nice to have choices," she said. "I do see things are changing for the better, but I believe there is room enough for all of us to keep people moving from point A to point B."

The transit authority and the taxi coupon programs are both funded partially by federal grants and must not overlap services.

The transit authority may not do point-to-point trips within the city of Cape Girardeau. It must at least begin or end every trip outside of the city. Taxi coupons, meanwhile, may not be used to carry residents outside of the city.

Cape Girardeau residents may buy up to 14 taxi coupons for $2 apiece unless they are seniors or are handicapped, in which case they may purchase the coupons for $1 each.

The coupon program, and the county's entire transit system, has been under scrutiny for some time. Many riders have complained that they may have to wait hours for a ride using the coupons. The United Way and the Community Caring Council earlier this year deemed a lack of public transportation as the community's biggest problem.

The Federal Transit Association has paid for a major study which will detail problems and identify solutions. Local transit authority executive director Jeff Brune said the consultants hired to do the study have conducted telephone and passerby surveys and they "had a great response."

Brune said a meeting of various transportation officials has been scheduled for Dec. 15 to go over some of the suggestions. The consultant's formal recommendation will be ready by August.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635