TRANSIT STUDY TO COUNTY; PANEL WILL EXPLORE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

JACKSON -- Organizations in Cape Girardeau County spend nearly $1 million in tax money annually and use at least 40 vehicles to provide transportation to residents of the county.

A new committee will study ways to make better use of those resources and at the same time provide better service. The committee, to be appointed by the Cape Girardeau County Commission, is expected to meet in August.

About 50 people attended a meeting Monday afternoon to hear results of a two-year study of transit services available in the county. The Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission at Perryville did the study.

The study found that a countywide transit system could be operated with existing funding and vehicles. What is needed is a method of cooperation, and the report suggests a public-private partnership.

"We are talking about a system that would be available to anyone," said Tom Tucker, executive director of the planning commission. "Specific groups that are already receiving transportation services would be included."

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said the County Commission will take a leading role in the formation of the committee because something needs to be done. The committee will discuss dispatching, personnel, maintenance, scheduling and general management. The commissioners don't want to establish a county department of transportation.

Jones said: "We have centralized dispatching in the county. We have maintenance facilities, more than one. We have vehicles. It's just a matter of working things out."

The committee also will discuss ways to eliminate possible turf battles between agencies that provide the transportation and will look at federal and state regulations, Jones said.

The report suggests a demand-response system. Someone who needs a ride would call a central dispatching center and a van or taxi cab would be sent. Arrangements would be made so the appropriate agency would be billed for the service if the rider is eligible. For example, money is available to provide transportation for senior citizens or someone in a wheelchair.

Tucker said a fixed-route system isn't being recommended. A fixed-route system would be similar to a bus service, with set stops at certain times of the day.

But he said that as the transit system develops a fixed route may be needed between Cape Girardeau and Jackson or to major employers in the county.

The study said nearly 63 percent of the need for transportation is in incorporated areas of the county, especially Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

"We expect more demand as the population grows," Tucker said. "As the population ages, we expect the need to grow also. And we will need to address services for those with handicaps."