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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">August 23, 2024</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: John Ogan
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Public Works
<br />City of Columbia
<br />John.Ogan@CoMo.gov
<br />573.239.1837</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Final open house for yearlong transit study scheduled for Aug. 27 at Wabash Bus Station</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - The public is invited to attend the final open house for the comprehensive Go COMO transit study, led by Olsson, consultants for the City of Columbia Public Works department. This study, which began in August 2023, is set to conclude in September 2024.<br /><br />The final open house meeting will take place Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Wabash Bus Station, 126 N. Tenth St.<br /><br />During the event, representatives from Olsson will present a draft of their recommendations for the future of Go COMO. Input gathered at the meeting will be considered and may influence the final recommendations as the study nears its conclusion.<br /><br />A summary of Olsson's recommendations, along with an accompanying map, is now available in the Documents section of the BeHeardCoMo page at <a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://beheard.como.gov/Columbia-transit-study">BeHeard.CoMo.gov/Columbia-tra
nsit-study</a>. Visitors to the site are encouraged to take a brief three-question survey to share their thoughts on these recommendations.<br /><br />This open house represents the last opportunity for residents to provide in-person feedback on potential improvements to Columbia's transit system before the study concludes. Previous open house meetings were held Nov. 14, 2023, and April 23, 2024.<br /><br />Like earlier events, this open house will be an informal drop-in event with no scheduled presentations. Attendees are welcome to stop by anytime during the open house hours. Project team members will be available to guide participants through the materials, engage in discussions and facilitate interactive exercises to gather community insights.<br /><br />As a review, goals of the study include:<br /><br />
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<li>Conducting a comprehensive operations analysis to identify ways to improve service efficiency, technology, staffing, facilities and other aspects of transit operations</li>
<li>Through community engagement, establishing the goals for public transit and metrics to track progress toward these goals over time</li>
<li>Determining ways to increase transit service and ridership</li>
<li>The evaluation of funding mechanisms and partnership opportunities</li>
<li>A review of policies and opportunities for transit-oriented development and integration with other modes of transportation, both locally and regionally</li>
<li>Addressing the potential for flexible, on-demand micro-transit services as a potential method for growth. Micro-transit refers to on-demand, flexible transportation services that typically use small vehicles to transport passengers within a localized area, often bridging the gap between public transit and personal transportation options</li>
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The study will review multiple transit modes for applicability, including fixed-route bus service, micro-transit and regional commuter services. Potential alternatives will be evaluated based on their benefits and drawbacks, with significant input from stakeholders and the Columbia community.<br /><br />Public comments will be accepted through Tuesday, Sept. 10, and can be submitted at the public open house, through the BeHeardCoMo website at <a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://beheard.como.gov/Columbia-transit-study">BeHeard.CoMo.gov/Columbia-transit-study</a>, or by email to Shawn Strate, senior transportation planner with Olsson, at sstrate@olsson.com.<br /><br /><em>Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email City@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the pos
ted meeting date as possible.</em></div>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://gocolumbiamo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=62b0c3219184457b88d19cf44ce1f4a3&find=126 N. Tenth St." target="_blank">126 N. Tenth St.</a></div>
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<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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