Jackson Free Press

A surprised Jackson City Council learned Monday that the city of Jackson is planning to take over its public bus system. The Melton administration informed the council of the new development after the city failed to reach an immediate contract agreement with Professional Transit Management. "We are in negotiations now and hope to reach an agreement soon," Chief Administrative Officer Robert Walker told the Jackson Free Press. "When we have something worked out, I will call you."

A sense of urgency plagues the matter: The company that currently holds the contract, McDonald Transit Associates Inc., of Texas, will surrender its contract to manage city buses in about a month.

The Clarion-Ledger reported that City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly-Evans said the deal stalled over liability issues, among other concerns.

The bus system suffers from low patronage and generates very little revenue. A coalition of disabled city residents, backed by the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, recently sued the city in U.S. District Court for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The coalition wants the city to update its buses to make more of them handicap accessible.

Many council members, such as Council President Leslie McLemore, had no knowledge of the takeover.

"Are we in sort of never-never land out here?" McLemore demanded.

Previous Comments

ID

140623

Comment

I don't know what the Melton administration has planned for the bus system; based on recent and past experience, they probably don't have a plan..but the prospect of COJ getting back into the business of managing it's own facilities could be the beginning of a service renaissance in the city. In my opinion the city should also "re-claim" the operation and management of the city owned sewage plant and sanitation services. Why is it that a private company can take former city employees, operate the city owned facilities and make a profit? The answer is not the profit motive, but rather efffective long range planning and day to day management. Why is it that the Jackson Airport, and the Convention Center (so far) can be run so effectively while the bus system and sewage plant struggle? The answer is not the profit motive, but rather efffective long range planning and day to day management. Again in my opinion, the difference is the existence of a politically insulated, business savy and independent board of directors that oversees the operation of the airport and convention center. The management talent is here in Jackson, we just need to mobilize it. I think that an independent governing board for the Parks and Recreation Dept and the Street Maintenance Division could provide new, innovative and professional oversight that would benefit the entire city. If the operational management strucures you have in place are not working..try some structures that are working! The answer is obvious to even the most casual observer!

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2008-11-12T21:52:28-06:00