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Mitchell transit staff report positive state review, new Jefferson Lines ticketing partnership and staffing changes
Summary
Mitchell’s Citizen Advisory Committee heard a positive triannual review of the city’s transit program, learned the transit office is selling Jefferson Lines tickets (generating a commission), and received staffing updates including two new bus operators and a trilingual office hire.
Committee members heard a transit program update describing a recent triannual review by the state Department of Transportation that included inspections of administration, financial procurement files, personnel, drug-and-alcohol records and vehicles. Staff reported the review went well and that reviewers praised Mitchell’s organization and procurement processes.
Staff said the state team did a ride-along, inspected the bus garage and offices, and invited the city’s procurement lead (named Wanda in the meeting) to present procurement practices at a state training because reviewers found the city files well organized. No corrective actions were reported; staff said a final review will be issued later in the month and the committee will address any corrective actions at a subsequent meeting if necessary.
The committee also heard that Mitchell’s transit office is now a ticket vendor for Jefferson Lines, the intercity bus carrier. Staff said transit staff can sell and print Jefferson Lines tickets in the office and that transit receives a percentage commission of each sale; staff estimated the rate at about 10%. The committee was told Jefferson Lines picks up passengers at the Covey Cenex on Bur (the local Cenex location), and staff reported the office has recorded its first sale.
Staff updated the committee on personnel changes: Tyson Sprinkle was hired as a full-time bus operator and Tyson Patton as a part-time bus operator. The office also hired Shirley Cheddar as a part-time office employee; staff said she speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese and is aiding Spanish-speaking customers. Staff reported the transit operator roster is now fully staffed.
The committee received a brief update that a passenger appeal previously discussed had been resolved and the passenger had resumed riding following the staff action described in an earlier communication from staff member Amy.
A member of the public, Deb Olsen, representing a pantry effort, asked whether transit could provide rides to the Mr. Food Pantry for clients who lack transportation. Olsen said the pantry serves surrounding areas and estimated the pantry serves about 700 families a month; she asked if transit records could identify people who already use transit to reach the pantry. Transit staff said their software can pull transport records and that most pantry clients pay for their rides themselves; staff offered to provide data and to meet with pantry representatives to explore options. The committee did not take formal action on the request.
Staff also reviewed ridership reporting materials for April through July and said the system runs a summer bus pass; committee members asked about a monthly pass and staff cautioned that creating a targeted monthly pass for a single demographic could conflict with federal charter rules and risk grant funding.
No formal votes were taken on transit operations. Committee members thanked staff for the positive state review and for staffing updates and encouraged follow-up meetings with the food pantry to explore transportation options.
