Residents asked for input on transportation system

Boone County residents will have the chance to share their opinions on bus routes and the state of public transportation today at an open house sponsored by the Boone County Community Partnership.

The open house is part of a study aimed at gaining the public’s opinion and suggestions regarding public transportation before action can be taken, said A.T. Stoddard, community involvement officer for the partnership.

“This is the first time an extensive study has taken place in Boone County, focusing on transportation needs,” Stoddard said.

MU students complained that buses don’t run late enough during the week or run at all on Sundays at the partnership’s first open house on Tuesday at MU’s Brady Commons, Stoddard said. The feedback was more positive at the evening open house at Columbia Public Library, but there was a general call for an overview of the public transportation system.

The study is backed by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Boone County Regional Hospital and MU. There will be an open house from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. today at Columbia Transit’s Wabash Station, 126 N. Tenth St. There will be another open house today from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Columbia Resource Center, 409 Vandiver Drive.