Area transit study begins this week

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The Springfield Area Transportation Study Organization will conduct a study to investigate the efficiency of the metropolitan area's transit operations.|ret||ret||tab|

It will evaluate such operations as the City Utilities transit service and Southwest Missouri State University's shuttle service in order to provide the region with better public transit service, according to Teri Whitmore, senior planner with Springfield's Planning & Development Department.|ret||ret||tab|

Areas of the study will examine:|ret||ret||tab|

the possibility of extending services to a regional operation;|ret||ret||tab|

the potential of cooperation between CU and Southwest Missouri State University to create a transit authority;|ret||ret||tab|

the marketing programs of transit providers in the community; |ret||ret||tab|

ways to distribute federal funds received by CU and SMSU; |ret||ret||tab|

future optional financing methods; and|ret||ret||tab|

the paratransit needs in the local community.|ret||ret||tab|

The study will begin with public input gathered April 16-18 at various sites in the city. The survey will seek comment on existing transit service and suggestions for improvements like hours of operation, extent of marketing and funding issues. The public may also voice opinions to those consultants documenting public statements.|ret||ret||tab|

The consultants will begin accepting input April 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. at the CU downtown bus transfer facility. It will continue 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 17 at Plaster Student Union and 2-4 p.m. at the Battlefield Mall. The last public surveys will be conducted noon-2 p.m. April 18 at the Wal-Mart Supercenter north.|ret||ret||tab|

The study is contracted through Connecticut-based Urbitran Inc.|ret||ret||tab|

Whitmore said the study, which concludes in November, emphasizes expanding service to outlying areas like Nixa, Ozark and Republic, the possibility of a transit authority and ultimately financing such recommendations.|ret||ret||tab|

"Financing is really going to tie all these recommendations together, because you'll need the money to cover expansion and all the other ideas," Whitmore said.|ret||ret||tab|

"This is the first time we've really taken a look at all the providers at one time and contemplated a transit authority," she added.|ret||ret||tab|

The public participation results will be available in May, Whitmore said, while other recommendations will be released beginning this summer.|ret||ret||tab|

The total cost of the study is $94,375. It is 80 percent paid for by federal transit administration funds and 20 percent by the city general fund. [[In-content Ad]]