Public transit goes beyond simply providing transportation services – It serves as a lifeline for many. For some, it’s the sole means by which they can get to work, school and doctor appointments, as well as gain access to shopping, services and entertainment. As someone who recently relocated to Springfield from East Africa, I am no exception.
Access to reliable transportation through CU Transit Services aided in my ability to secure a good job. My income enables me to send money home to my wife and daughter and to continue saving and preparing for them to join me here. I also use the city bus system to get to school and the store.
Public transit systems here, and throughout the state, need to be expanded to cover more riders, in more neighborhoods in both urban and rural areas. However, transit funding in Missouri has been cut by the state legislature.
I am currently helping the Missouri Public Transit Association raise awareness about this issue through its Faces of Missouri Transit Campaign. I am one of the many residents around the state who has a personal story about the impact transit access has on my ability to provide for my family. It is a lifeline.
Readers, please consider reaching out to local legislators to ask them to support transit funding, and keep in mind that whether you personally take transit or not, communities need a quality public transit system.
Justin Mboka, Springfield resident