For immediate release
For more information, contact
Anne Freand
Public input being sought for Phelps County SMTS deviated fixed-route feasibility study
PHELPS COUNTY – Residents and students of Phelps and Dent counties are asked to participate in online surveys, one for students and one for general public, about the potential for the creation of a Southeast Missouri Transportation Services (SMTS) deviated fixed-route bus service in the Rolla area with possible connections to St. James and Salem. The surveys are available at https://www.meramecregion.org/surveys/.
SMTS in conjunction with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is conducting the feasibility study for the potential new route. This bus service would be modeled after the Bluff Area Transit Service (BATS) in Poplar Bluff and the Connect Service in St. Francois County, both of which are operated by SMTS. Both systems have fees ranging from $1 per boarding, $3 all-day passes, as well as pre-paid punch cards with discounted prices. While the Rolla service would not be identical to BATS or Connect in the number of stops or pricing, it will likely operate very similar, if such a service is found to be a possibility.
Feedback is critical to determining the viability of such a service in the Phelps and Dent counties area.
For more information, please contact Anne Freand, MRPC planning department manager, via email at afreand@meramecregion.org or via phone at 573-265-2993 ext. 105.
SMTS has contracted with MRPC to conduct the feasibility study. SMTS is a nonprofit general public passenger transportation service. SMTS transportation services are available throughout South Central and Southeast Missouri.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 34 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.
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