Columbus residents may soon have another way to travel around the Friendly City.
Columbus Federal Programs Director Travis Jones told city council members Tuesday about the possibility of a private bus service coming to Columbus.
“The mayor and I have been speaking with the owner of Lawrence Transportation Services in Lawrence, Kansas, and he is interested in bringing a bus service to Columbus,” Jones said. Jones said the service would initially include 10 buses to be used in Columbus and Lowndes County.
“This will not be at any cost to the city,” Jones said. “All the city will need to do is provide some in-kind services. We are asking the city for a letter of support to show it is interested. The owner would like to come to town and speak with the Mayor and council and give you a complete analysis.”
The new bus service, would not only be good for the citizens of Columbus, Jones said, it would also be good for the economy as it expected to create 50-75 jobs.
“The jobs would start out at $15 an hour with a director starting at $50,000 a year,” Smith said. “The goal is to start the service in Columbus and then expand it into the Golden Triangle.”
The council voted unanimously to consider more information regarding the bus service.
After two weeks of discussion, the council was set to take up the request by members of the Sallie Mae Jones family to rename a portion of Fourth Street South. The item was taken off the agenda without any discussion from the council. Members of the Jones family were in attendance at the meeting.
In other business, the council:
n Approved the Columbus Planning Commission’s recommendation to allow Danielle Porter to have an adult daycare on 2305 Bluecutt Road.
n Approved the designation of eight additional ex officio deputy clerks and deputy court clerks.
n Approved the standard pay scale for the promotions of corporals, sergeants and lieutenants at the request of Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen.
n Approved plans to extend contract services for ground maintenance at Friendship Cemetery.
n Approved plans to make 11th Avenue a one-way street.
n Approved an architect agreement for City Hall renovation.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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