On July 10, Joplin, MO, City Council members heard from Gina Thompson, the city’s transportation coordinator, regarding a proposed service expansion. Currently, the Sunshine Trolley service operates with the same three fixed routes that have been in place since its 2007 launch. Three vehicles and 17 drivers provide service along those three fixed routes. However, Joplin has changed a lot since 2007, and those changes, according to Thompson, make a service expansion necessary.
Thompson is proposing a service expansion including an additional 2 routes and extension of existing routes, which would necessitate the purchase of additional trolley buses. The Sunshine Trolley has seen ridership increase by 20,000 over the past year as demand for public transportation increases. Thompson mentions the sprawling nature of Joplin as part of the reason for the recommended expansion. There are many destinations, including chain grocery stores, workforce development centers, and a hospital that would be included as new stops should the system be expanded.
While City Council seemed in support of the expansion, funding for additional vehicles and drivers was a discussion. The City of Joplin will host two public meetings on August 20 at City Hall and invite the public and public transit riders to attend, view materials related to a potential service expansion and provide comment.
Public Meetings:
August 20
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. AND 5:00-6:30 p.m.
City Hall, 602 S Main Street
City Council Chambers, 5th Floor
View Mass Transit’s reporting on this story here.