TRANSIT STUDY: A VERY LONG AND WINDING ROAD

A new study says a countywide transit system could provide improved transportation for residents of in Cape Girardeau County.

The Transit Study, completed by the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission, will be presented Monday to the County Commission and representatives of transportation providers. The meeting is at 1:30 p.m. at the county's administration building in Jackson.

The study was requested by the county commission more than two years ago when commissioners questioned why so many agencies had so many vans traveling the same county roads.

"We have to start doing things differently, moving people in the county in a more efficient and economical way," said Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones.

Associate Commissioner Larry Bock agreed. "Hopefully we can stop a lot of duplication of driving. We need to coordinate all the transportation in the county and save all those agencies money."

Jones explained that the county commission doesn't want a county transportation department. Instead it is looking for a way for current providers to work together to better serve residents of the county.

The report shows that some type of countywide transit system is possible.

The report says: "It will be obvious to the reader that sufficient vehicles already exist and a substantial amount of money is being expended at the present time that could support a true county-wide transit system. The true issue will be getting partners together to agree to work together to form a transit system that serves not only their present needs, but also extends to the greater community and provides transportation opportunities throughout the county."

The report suggests that coordinating transportation efforts start slowly, maybe with just two or three agencies. The system could grow from that.

Other possibilities to be discussed include centralizing dispatching and maintaining vehicles.

Tom Tucker with the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission and his staff collected information from various transit providers in the county about what clients and geographical areas each provider serves.

For example, Kelley Transportation operates a private cab company and also provides transportation for Cape Girardeau city's taxi coupon system. Southeast Missouri State University operates a transportation system for students on campus.

VIP Industries has a large transportation system to take employees to and from work at its sheltered workshops. Cape County Transit receives both county and federal funds for urban mass transit, primarily serving senior citizens. School districts run school bus routes twice a day. Some churches provide services.

Many of the existing systems don't operate on weekends or in the evening. Regulations limit access to specific groups of people.

"A lot of these agencies are providing transportation out of necessity because no one else will do it," Jones said.

The county has decided to take a lead in developing a solution.

"It's not the county's responsibility," Jones said. "But nobody else is doing it. We've got to start somewhere."

MEETING

Approximately 40 transporation providers have been invited to discuss the transit study.

Monday, July 13

1:30 p.m.

Cape County Administration Building in Jackson

Open to the public