Our Opinion: Uphill climb for public transportation

Proponents of public transportation in Jefferson City face an uphill battle.

Public transit systems rarely are profitable. There are a few exceptions, including Hong Kong, which enjoys ridership in the range of 90 percent.

In the United States, where citizens favor the convenience of cars, public transit systems operate with government support. Taxpayers, however, may be reluctant to support operations they do not use.

Supporters and users of the city's public transit system, organized as Citizens for JeffTran, again are urging action by the City Council. City transit operations include both JeffTran Buses and Handi Wheels Paratransit Service.

The group formed last year to fight public transit cuts proposed to offset a city budget shortfall. Those proposed cuts were restored.

Now the group has renewed its call for the council to create a Public Transit Advisory Task Force.

The group has recommended task force representation and, in some cases, suggested names. Categories of representation are: two council members or appointed opponents to transit, a senior citizen, a regular route rider, two Handi Wheels riders, two student riders (one from a public school and one from a private school), two Lincoln University student riders, and representatives from the faith and business communities, social services and Community Action Agency.

The reference to "appointed opponents to transit" revisits an earlier observation.

Opposition, largely to the government subsidy, must be expected; consequently, the inclusion of opposing voices on the task force is wise.

In Jefferson City and elsewhere, the majority of the subsidy is federal funding (which still are taxpayer dollars), although the city government also contributes.

Bigger issues involve governmental - and societal or moral - responsibilities. Is government - and, by extension, the community - obligated to provide public transportation?

We believe the answer is yes, because it provides everyone with mobility to attend school, work, doctor's appointments, activities, etc. That translates into upward mobility and participation in, and contributions to, society.

In Jefferson City and elsewhere, however, public transportation is limited. JeffTran operates from 6:40 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. It does not operate on weekends or specified holidays.

A problem is those hours do not always accommodate low-income riders who may be employed working nights and weekends. Those hours certainly don't accommodate 6 p.m. council meetings and may not accommodate meetings of the task force, if one is created.

We support creation of the task force, although we invite scrutiny and tweaking of its representatives.

We caution, however, that the task force not be created only to humor public transit supporters.

If council members have no intention of considering recommendations or changes to enhance service, say no and save time and effort among everyone involved.