By Charles Dickson
Tupelo, Mississippi Launches Transit Service
For the first time in more than three decades, the residents of Tupelo, Mississippi now have bus service available to meet their mobility needs.
Beginning in 2016, the Community Transportation Association of America in partnership with the Social Innovation Division from Toyota North America worked with elected officials, community groups, and others in Tupelo to study the need for transit service and develop plans for implementing service. In June of this year, the Tupelo City Council voted to supply matching funds to secure 5311 funding from the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
The reception to the service has been positive. Although ridership fell after the free month, it rebounded in November and December numbers are strong.
The City worked with Northeast Mississippi Community Services, an already existing 5311 provider, to finalize routes and schedules. The system launched in September with a month of fare-free service. In October the system began to charge a fare of $2.00/trip. In addition to three fixed routes in the city, the service provides citywide paratransit service to older adults and persons with disabilities.
The reception to the service has been positive. Although ridership fell after the free month, it rebounded in November and December numbers are strong.
I was recently able to take a ride on the system. I talked to one passenger on her way home from work. Prior to the launch of the service she was spending more than $200/month in cab fare on her daily commute. The bus service allows her to accomplish the task for less than $50. I also talked to people who regularly use the service for accessing medical appointments and for shopping. The service is filling a need in the community.
The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and its members believe that mobility is a basic human right. From work and education to life-sustaining health care and human services programs to shopping and visiting with family and friends, mobility directly impacts quality of life.