Board hears proposal for Branson transit system

The Branson Board of Aldermen on Monday heard a presentation from Branson Trolley & Transportation, which has offered to operate between 20 and 25 trolleys, five buses and 10 multipurpose vehicles for package delivery and passenger transit.

Trolley routes would run west to east from Celebration City to Branson Landing and north to south from Expressway Lane to Safari Road. Buses would give rides to outlying attractions, such as Silver Dollar City, Showboat Branson Belle, Shepherd of the Hills Theater and the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery.

Funding for the transit system would come from fares – starting at $1 – advertising and investments, and there would be no cost to the city, according to the company’s proposal. The company did request that the board apply for a federal planning grant to test the trolleys before moving forward with the system.

The board recommended that the company meet with city administration to provide more details about the proposal, and the city will report back to the board.

Also at its meeting Monday, the board gave first-round approval to a 5 percent increase in city water rates and a 15 percent increase in sewer rates.

The rate increases are part of the city’s plans to supplement the water and sewer fund, which is currently subsidized by funds transferred from the tourism/capital improvement tax. The new rates would take effect Oct. 1.

The board also gave final approval to a bill that allows Alliance Gas Energy Inc. to sell its natural gas franchise agreement with the city to another supplier, Southern Missouri Natural Gas.

The new supplier is continuing to pursue the necessary requirements with the Missouri Public Service Commission to complete the switch.

Southern Missouri Natural Gas has 8,000 customers in an area from Rogersville to West Plains and from Marshfield to Ava.[[In-content Ad]]