TRANSPORTATION INPUT SOUGHT

Wish you could catch a bus to work? Wondering if a van could take you to appointments with the doctor?

A committee studying transportation in Cape Girardeau County wants to know. The ad hoc committee, which is examining the need and feasibility of countywide transportation services, is conducting a survey of transportation needs.

The committee was formed following a report to the Cape Girardeau County Commission about transportation services available.

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.

The study said a countywide transit system could provide improved transportation for more residents of Cape Girardeau County.

The committee was formed to see if agencies in the county could work together to form a transit system.

Two primary issues are being addressed: development of a centralized dispatching system and development of a fixed-route transportation system.

A fixed-route system follows the same route and schedule, similar to city buses in other communities or school buses.

The county has two on-demand services. Individuals call and ask for the Cape County Transit System or Kelley Transportation cabs to pick them up and deliver them to specific locations.

The survey asks about transportation needs and projected uses of public transportation.

Ron Swift and Hilary Schmittzehe are co-chairman of the fixed-route subcommittee.

Swift said: "The input we get will help us decide what to recommend. If the majority of people say they only need a good demand-response system, then we won't go about the business of trying to create a fixed-route system."

Surveys will be available at a number of locations in the county, including doctors' offices, senior citizen centers and employment centers.

"We're not just focusing on any particular special-interest group," said Swift. "We're looking at the entire population. We intend for the survey responses to come from everyone."

The committee would like to have survey results tabulated in December and a final report to the County Commission in January.

"In February we hope to generate a funding application to whomever is deemed appropriate," Swift said.

Anyone interested in completing a survey or providing surveys to groups like church congregations or service clubs may call Swift at (573) 334-0990, extension 13.