COLUMBIA On Monday, the Columbia City Council discussed a variety of agenda items. These included hiring a paratransit bus driver and a report urging the city to enact stricter rules regarding climate change.
During the meeting, reports were given by the Public Transit Advisory Commission and Climate and Environment Commission.
The PTAC raised concerns regarding the city’s difficulty in recruiting and hiring new drivers to its transit services. GoCOMO bus service operates with 18 fewer drivers that it needs. According to reports from, this has led to a decrease in services. Columbia Missourian. Bus drivers are also affected by staffing issues. Since August 2021, they have been working 12 hours per week of mandatory overtime.
To address this problem, the city council unanimously created a separate position for drivers that will only operate paratransit busses. Drivers are currently responsible for operating paratransitbuses and city buses.
Safety Supervisor for GoCOMO Regina Morgan believes that the new position will relieve drivers of pressure and fill in the gaps on routes like afternoon and Saturday shifts.
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Morgan stated that if paratransit drivers were able to take over certain hours, it would allow other drivers to work their regular hours. It definitely reduces or eliminates overtime.
The Climate and Environment Commission released a report that recommended Columbia use 100% renewable energy sources in 2030. The current plan for the city sets the goal to reach this milestone by 2035.
Several community members supported the more ambitious goal.
Greta, a student from Hickman High School’s Amnesty International organisation, spoke about how important it was to decrease the city’s dependence upon fossil fuels. She said, “It’s not too late” to limit the impacts of climate change.
Carolyn Amparan (member of theSierra club Osage group) also spoke and demanded bold action. She pointed out that energy production is one the main sources for pollution and that new solar and wind farms should be a priority in the city.
Amparan stated, “The decision cannot wait as a four-to five year planning horizon for new wind or solar farms is required.” Columbia Water and Light are commended for their plans to achieve 44%. [renewable energy]By 2025…but we must be more aggressive.”
Amparan and other climate activists met outside the city hall before the meeting of the city council to support their goals for Columbia’s renewable energy.
This initiative has been endorsed by more than 50 businesses and organizations. Nearly 3,000 public signatures have been collected.
