Ridership on Columbia’s GoCOMO bus service is down, since bus routes were combined

Columbia’s city council heard a detailed report Monday night about GoCOMO bus service.

Columbia Public Works says since bus routes were combined in August, fixed route ridership has decreased an average of 40 percent per month over the previous year. The council also heard about consultant Olsson’s transit study. Olsson hosted a November open house meeting at the Wabash station for all interested citizens, and Olsson staff also rode all fixed Columbia bus routes in the morning and  afternoon.

City manager De’Carlon Seewood says GoCOMO had 28 drivers on staff, as of March 1, with 26 of them available for duty. The council learned there are currently three drivers in training with three additional drivers being vetted in the hiring process. GoCOMO staff continues to interview potential drivers on a weekly basis, as candidates apply.

Mr. Seewood highlighted Olsson’s comprehensive transit study during his June state of the city address.

“This study will consider strategies to increase public transit ridership and make public transit a more practical and attractive option. This study will help us find new ways to reach staffing levels that will help keep schedules consistent and evaluate the expansion of new service to areas of Columbia that need public transit the most,” Seewood said during his June 2023 state of the city address.

Columbia’s bus system began in 1965. GoCOMO’s website says its bus service connects people with work, school, recreation and a more sustainable quality of life.