Transit authority goal is safe, reliable rides

By Jeff Brune

A new era in public transportation begins in July as the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority starts fully coordinated transit services throughout the city of Cape Girardeau and Cape Girardeau County.

Our goal is to provide you with safe, affordable and reliable transportation with an emphasis on customer service. Our professionally trained and courteous drivers will make every effort to make your transit experience a pleasant one. The transit vehicles we utilize are new and clean with a strict no-smoking policy.

Your new public transit system will impact the lives of thousands of people and play a vital role in the local economy by transporting residents and visitors to medical facilities, social activities, retail stores and grocery stores.

Quality public transportation will also be a factor in attracting new business and industry to the area by offering the local work force a mode of dependable transportation to and from work.

Please have patience with our drivers and staff through the next few weeks of transition. Understand that we are making every effort to operate the system as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Our taxi-like rapid-transit vehicles officially began operating Saturday. RTVs operate 24 hours a day. The fixed-route buses will begin operating from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. next Monday. Saturday bus service runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the nine-day transitional period before the bus actually starts, we will offer rides on our taxi-like RTVs within the Cape Girardeau city limits for the old coupon rate. This service will operate the same time the bus would operate on the weekdays and Saturdays.

You do not need a coupon. You just need to call in for a ride. The only day the coupon rates will not be effective is Sunday, July 9.

These are exciting times for everyone. We look forward to serving your transportation needs in the near future. For more information regarding transit services throughout Cape Girardeau County, please call 335-5533 or 243-1835.

Jeff Brune is the executive director of the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority.