Go COMO is struggling to keep certain bus routes going.
The need for better, more efficient public transit options was the main subject of discussion at the Columbia Public Transit Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday.
A recent opinion article in the Columbia Business Times was the first item on the meeting agenda.
The article discussed how public transit in Columbia, specifically the bus system, Go COMO, has become second to new age ways of transportation such as Uber and Lyft. It also suggested the possibility of doing away with public transit completely.
“There are no suggestions of how to make this happen,” said chairwoman Cheryl Price.
Price advocates for many of the disabled in Columbia who use the transit system on a daily basis. According to Price, for some, this is the only possible way to have the freedom of personal mobility.
According to a past article in the Columbia Tribune, the city budget for public transit has been diminished greatly in recent years. Many of the commission members expressed their concern for the struggling transit system.
“It’s a service, not for money-making,” said vice chairwoman Katherine Lee.
The commission also discussed the upcoming extension of current routes that will make up for the routes that will be eliminated due to low ridership. Commission member Drew Brooks is currently working with a trial run animated map. The map shows the routes, live updates on bus arrival times and many other useful features.
“We subsidize public transit because it’s a service that people need,” said the commission’s Columbia College representative Diane Suhler.