Joplin relaunches Sunshine Lamp trolley, installs baby box and begins West 20th widening work

City officials announced several staff-led initiatives aimed at transportation access and public safety.

The public information office reported the Sunshine Lamp trolley relaunched today with three fixed routes, 67 stops and expanded hours. Miss Onstock told the council the trolley now runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., offers rides for $2 and a half-fare program for eligible passengers (60+, veterans, disabled, Medicare recipients): "Rides are $2 each, and the half fare program is offered to individuals who are 60 years of age or older, active military or veterans, disabled, or those who are receiving Medicare." (Miss Onstock)

Staff also described a new Safe Haven baby box installed at Fire Station 7, designed to provide an anonymous and secure surrender option for parents in crisis. The baby box "locks automatically when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door allows medical personnel to promptly and securely retrieve the baby," staff said. The box was funded by community donations and is reportedly the sixth such installation in Missouri.

Finally, staff announced that utility relocation work has begun for the West 20th Street widening, a multi-stage project expected to last about 4 to 6 weeks; the project will expand the street to three lanes, add intersection improvements and a shared-use path, funded by the Capital Improvement Sales Tax, city funds and Jasper County ARPA.

Information about routes, fares, tokens and the half-fare program is available on the city's transit website and at the transit office.