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.