Study will look at feasibility of city bus system expanding outside Springfield

Ozarks Transportation Organization presented the idea to several of Springfield's surrounding towns

March 08, 2011|by Linda Russell, KY3 News | lrussell@ky3.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- You can ride a city bus all over Springfield but a study plans to look at whether buses should roll into smaller neighboring towns as well. The Ozarks Transportation Organization, which helps with cooperative transportation planning in this region, says the study will be done because of widespread interest.

Some Springfield residents rely on the buses for transportation to and from almost anywhere.

"Everything, to the library, to the grocery store, to church, and to work, yes," said Audrey Snyder.

"I ride the bus just about every day, mostly Tuesday through Saturday, because that's when I go to college," said Rose Kidd.

Now a study will look at the feasibility of bus routes outside Springfield's city limits.

"It would be awesome! People would be taking field trips," said Snyder.

Ozarks Transportation Organization presented the idea to several of Springfield's surrounding towns after discussing the idea with City Utilities of Springfield, which operates the city bus system.

"They're all very interested, with the price of gas going up," said OTO Executive Director Sara Edwards.

The study may find some communities could support routes and not others.

"If there is interest, they realize it's a valuable public service," said Edwards.

The idea of never before available mass transit is exciting for residents in outlying towns, even current bus riders.

"Actually, it would expand my job hunting so, once I graduate from school, I can go farther out than just in Springfield city limits," said Kidd.

It would hopefully provide affordable transportation for more people, but still wouldn't be a moneymaker.

"Cost effective, probably not, but necessary, very possibly," said Edwards.

Edwards says routes to surrounding towns would require additional funding from somewhere, perhaps a transportation tax.

"You can expand your options if they expand the route," said Kidd.

It may just depend on how badly residents in surrounding communities want to ride the bus.

CU transit is currently subsidized by utility rate payers. The study, estimated to cost about $140,000, will be paid for with 80-percent federal transportation funds and the remaining 20 percent would be split among the nine other interested parties, which include Ozark, Nixa, Republic, Willard, Strafford, Battlefield, CU, and Greene and Christian counties. The study could take from six months to a year.

CU Transit

Ozarks Transportation Organization

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