Published: November 09, 2009 11:27 pm      

Community invited to public transit meeting

According to Meridian Transit System Director Patricia Flowers, "If you've never ridden the bus, Wednesday would be a great day to try it."

Why? "Because it's free!"

Flowers said MTS will be giving free bus rides to participants in a town hall meeting on public transportation to be held Wednesday. The participants will ride the bus to a local restaurant, where they will receive a free drink or dessert, and then return to their cars.

MTS is offering this free ride, Flowers said, because, "We want people to experience riding the bus."

The town hall meeting, to be held at the Hilton Garden Inn from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, is designed to gather input from the community about public transportation, as well as to gain community support and enhance awareness for public transit programs.

During the meeting, which is hosted by the Mississippi Department of Transportation, MTS will give two presentations.

The first presentation, which begins at 10 a.m., is titled "Community Involvement: Why are you an essential partner?" and will focus mainly on community input. The second presentation, which begins at 11 a.m., will explain to citizens the benefits of public transit, including tax credits available for businesses, voucher programs, and economic impact.

"For each dollar that's invested in transportation, modest estimates say it turns over six," Flowers said.

She said the environmental and social benefits of public transit are also impressive.

"It saves the air. It saves fuel. It saves money," she said. "Ride the bus!"

For more information on the town hall meeting, contact Flowers at (601) 693-6904 or Charles Husband with MDOT at (601) 359-7800.