City of Columbia, Missouri
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Council Chamber
Columbia City Hall
701 E. Broadway
Monday, January 9, 2023
5:00 PM
Work Session
I. INTRODUCTORY ITEMS
Mayor Buffaloe called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
Transit Staffing Discussion
Shane Creech, Director of Public Works and Mike Sokoff addressed Council in regards to
the chronic staffing shortages which have required long periods of mandatory overtime
from the Transit operators. Coupled with an increase in demand for Paratransit services,
Go COMO believes it is necessary to combine daily fixed bus route service until operator
staffing levels improve. Creech indicated no bus stops are being eliminated. There are
currently six individual routes that will be combined into three routes serving the same
stops at a 90-minute interval, instead of the current 45-minute loop. It will be the same
service Transit currently operates on Saturday, but with existing weekday service times.
Creech showed the Council a slide of what areas the current routes serve. The new
90-minute routes will combine red with green, gold with blue, and orange with
black.Public Works recommend these changes begin in early to mid February.
Creech went on to explain that this transit operator shortage is not just a local issue but
a nationwide issue as well. He discussed the challenges, operational needs and
paratransit requirements and challenges.
Creech said there are six Commissions that have been consulted for their input as an
RFP is prepared for a transit study. The Commissions were given until Dec. 31 to submit
suggestions to the PTAC chair for review. The study is expected to be underway by early
Spring 2023.
Council and Staff discussed hopes of what to accomplish which included reducing
overtime and improving recruitment and retention.
II. ANY OTHER ITEMS COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS
None.
III. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Buffaloe adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.