CU hones in on transit changes

City Utilities of Springfield is looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional annual expenses as it considers transit changes.

The ConnectSGF transit study conducted by engineering and consulting firm Olsson Inc. was completed this month, and recommendations being presented by CU staff would expand bus coverage and frequency, according to a news release.

Recommendations by CU staff include expanded coverage in the evenings to provide consistent route coverage Monday through Friday; increased frequency that would result in around 29 additional service hours per week; more route coverage on Saturdays; and the guaranteey of 30-minute frequency from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the transit center for all weekday routes.

"The estimated cost to implement these improvements is between $200,000 to $250,000 per year," officials said in the release.

CU's management and board also has expressed support for a 20% reduction in fares, the release states. The CU Citizens Advisory Council, Board of Public Utilities and City Council would have to weigh in on such a change.

Initial findings of the transit study were presented a year ago, according to past reporting.