January 24, 2012

By Elise Moser

MU has hired a consultant to assess the possibility of MU owning its own transit system as complications persist with Columbia Transit. The consultant from a firm specializing in transit issues will interview students and staff early this semester to determine what MU’s transit needs are.

Columbia announced a proposal to make severe budget cuts that would end services to many apartment complexes along Old Highway 63 unless MU agrees to an $80 per semester student fee.

No agreement has been reached between MU and the city of Columbia, but Missouri Students Association President Xavier Billingsley said MU is not closing any doors.

“Right now, any option is up,” Billingsley said. “With a situation like this, anything is possible.”

MSA Senate Speaker Jacob Sloan said the consultant is going to figure out what students want, what MU can provide and what the costs will be.

Although MU has hired a consultant, Billingsley plans to keep the lines of communication open between the city and MU.

“I hope that we can work more with the mayor and we can work collaboratively,” he said.

Since taking over for Eric Woods as MSA president this semester, Billingsley has worked to become familiar with the transit issue.

“I’ve already had a couple meetings with (Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services) Jackie Jones and (Director of Parking and Transportation Services) Jim Joy to prepare myself for transit,” he said. “We’re working as a team and the communication is pretty open.”

Billingsley said he is optimistic about the idea of MU owning its own transit system.

“I campaigned on it,” he said. “I think it’s something that’s worth looking into. We own our own facilities. We own our own Campus Dining Services. It’s at least worth looking into owning our own transit services.”

Sloan is more cautious about the idea.

“It’s something tough to achieve,” he said.

Sloan also said he was hesitant of the idea because the service might not be accessible to all students.

“The problem you run into and the reason why I’m very hesitant is how do you target students who have to walk three blocks to get to a bus stop?” he said.

Sloan currently lives at The Reserve at Columbia, an apartment complex off of Old Highway 63.

“It’s my service (from Columbia Transit) that is going to be cut and terminated in May 2012,” he said.

Some of the affected complexes are promising to continue shuttle service regardless of what Columbia Transit decides to do.

“As we decide which direction we want to go, I want to assure all of you that we will have daytime shuttle service in the fall of 2012,” Matthew Colgin, community manager at The Reserve, said in a Jan. 17 email to residents. “There is no question of that.”

The Reserve is considering proposals from the City of Columbia as well as private shuttle companies.

“The city’s given a proposal and other companies have also given proposals, so it’s just a matter of choosing the right one,” Colgin said. “We see a need for (shuttle service.) We’re going to do it either way, whatever the city decides.”