Ky NeSmith advocates for increased public input regarding the design of bus routes in their area.
In the heart of Kentucky, City Commissioner Sharon NeSmith is spearheading an initiative to enhance Owensboro's public transportation system. NeSmith, who is also the general manager for the Hampton Inn Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront, has been gathering data on bus ridership and routes but is now seeking public feedback to better understand the needs and concerns of the community.
NeSmith has expressed concerns about the lack of bus service on most holidays, such as July 4, and the impact it has on those attending events like fireworks. She has also noted that transferring between buses can take an excessive amount of time, making a simple trip to the doctor's office or grocery store an "all-day affair" for many.
A significant number of hotel employees rely on city buses to get to their jobs, and NeSmith has had important workers stay at her hotel when bus service closures due to holidays prevented them from getting to their shifts.
In 2019, the bus system provided 321,703 individual trips, a number that increased to approximately 430,000 trips in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic.
While the MPO, a part of the Green River Area Development District, attempted to gather comments on the bus system, they received only a few replies. As a result, NeSmith is encouraging the public to share their opinions, ideas, or concerns about the bus service by contacting her at [email protected] or 270-687-8564.
The public can also provide input through the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) processes, such as the Radcliff/Elizabethtown MPO, which covers the Owensboro area and prepares transportation plans including public transit components. These MPOs typically include public comment periods for draft plans and transportation improvement programs (TIPs), where citizens can submit feedback.
To participate, monitor announcements by the local MPO or city government regarding transit planning meetings. Participate in public hearings or workshops when they are announced. Submit comments during open public comment periods on draft transit plans or service changes.
For more immediate or detailed contact, reaching out to the Owensboro city government or the regional MPO office can provide specific guidance on how input is collected for transit changes in that jurisdiction.
In the spirit of collaboration and continuous improvement, NeSmith suggested that potential changes to the bus system would likely be small and incremental at first, but could grow over time based on the feedback received. Let's work together to make Owensboro's public transportation system a more efficient and enjoyable experience for all.
- The city bus system, which saw an increase from 321,703 trips in 2019 to approximately 430,000 in 2020 despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, is an essential part of the transportation industry in Owensboro.
- City Commissioner Sharon NeSmith, who is also the general manager for the Hampton Inn Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront, has emphasized the need for improvements in the bus system, particularly addressing issues like insufficient service on holidays, long wait times for transfers, and the impact these have on both residents and workers in the finance industry, including hotel employees.
