As a part of the Missouri Public Transit Association’s efforts to promote our members and the services they provide in MO, we are launching a new series, MEET MPTA. This week we are highlighting the services provided by City Utilities of Springfield (CU).
CU has operated the public transit system for the City of Springfield since 1945. City Utilities of Springfield transit department employs 60 residents from Springfield and the surrounding area and provides over 1.5 million rides annually. The transit system offers both fixed day routes and evening routes, encompassing over 250 miles. There are 12 fixed day routes and seven fixed night routes providing service from 6 AM to 11 PM.
In addition over 18,000 rides are provided to disabled citizens through the Access Express paratransit service. Additionally, CU offers a paratransit service (Access Express) that provides over 17,000 rides annually to passengers who require additional resources to facilitate their bus travel.
“Being able to provide transit service 365 days a year for the more than 200,000 residents of the Springfield region is key to improving access to jobs, education and healthcare having a direct impact on the economy of the region. Our goal is to make the transit trip as simple as possible with online trip planners, mobile RouteShout app, customer service representatives on call to answer questions, and much more,” said Kelly Turner, Director of Transit for City Utilities and MPTA Board member.
City Utilities will open a new downtown Transit Center in May 2016 that provides opportunities for expansion and improvements to the transit system. Customers have access to improved amenities, bus ticket vending machines, public Wi-Fi, and safer more convenient operations.
“We are excited” Turner says, “about the benefits the new City Utilities Transit Center will offer our existing customers, and also the opportunities it gives us to reach new riders.”
Contact Transit Services at http://www.cityutilities.net/transit or call (417) 831-8782 for more information.