Video: Transit Company Asks For More Time

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — One day before a city-imposed deadline to have its buses in town, an Indiana company asks the city of Columbus for more time.

Dorothy Dowdell, spokesperson for Lawrence Transit, told WCBI the company is working with the city to put bus stop shelters up at some locations along its routes. The 20 shelters would cost about $300,000 to purchase and install. The company says the shelters are being required by its insurance company.

The city has been working with Lawrence Transit for more than a year to bring public transportation to the city. But after numerous delays, Mayor Robert Smith told the company to have buses in town by August 9 or the deal is off.

The company still says it will provide service for its low-cost rates but it needs two weeks to resolve the shelter issue and get the buses to Columbus.

SEE BELOW FOR COMPANY STATEMENT, ROUTE INFORMATION:

Dorothy Dowdell, Director of Operations FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lawrence Transit System

LAWRENCE TRANSIT SYSTEM TO LAUNCH NEW BUS ROUTE IN COLUMBUS, MS

Pending Negotiations for Placement of Bus Shelters

Lawrence Transit System (LTS) will initiate a new bus service serving Columbus, MS and the surrounding area. The newly established Columbus branch of LTS was scheduled to begin running bus routes this week and aims to provide affordable, reliable transportation Monday through Saturday.

According to LTS Director of Operation, Dorothy Dowdell, the project is currently on hold, due to the Insurance Co. not allowing the routes to begin without the shelters in certain areas. Currently LTS and Columbus City officials are working on a resolution.

Dowdell says the service will operate fixed routes locally throughout the week. Bus passes can be purchased immediately on all buses and will soon be available for purchase At LTS hub location.

Dowdell says riders on the new route will pay a fee to use the service and have access to multiple locations throughout Columbus. .

For more information please contact Dorothy Dowdell at 662-889-0927.

LTS Route Information

Route 1: (82/North Side) Leaving Lehmberg down Hwy 182 to Martin Luther King, Martin Luther King to 7th Avenue, 7th Avenue to Waterworks, Waterworks to 14th Street, 14th Street to Martin Luther King, Martin Luther King to 23rd Loop out to 14th Street, 14th Street to 20th Street, 20th Street to 7th Avenue, 7th Avenue to Military Road, Military Road to 18th, 18th to Hwy 45, to Malco Theater, to Walmart, to TJ Maxx.

Route 2: (S.Lehmberg/MUW) Leaving Lehmberg to William Roberts Road, William Roberts Road to Yorkville Road, Yorkville Road to Hwy 69, Hwy 69 to Airline Road, Airline Road to Bell Avenue, Bell Avenue to 15th Street South, 15th Street to College Street, College Street to 5th Avenue, 5th Avenue to 45, 45 to Malco Theater, to Walmart, to TJ Maxx.

Route 3: (N. Lehmberg /Hospital) Leaving Hwy 182 to Lehmberg Road, Lehmberg Road to Warpath, Warpath to Brouder Street, Brouder Street to Hwy 82, Hwy 82 to Gardner Blvd., Gardner Blvd to Hwy 50 to Waterworks Road, Waterworks Road to Martin Luther King, Martin Luther King to Military, Military to Bluecutt, Bluecutt to Leigh Drive, Leigh Drive to 5th Street, 5th Street to Leigh Drive, Leigh Drive to Bluecutt, Bluecutt to Hwy 45, Hwy 45 to Malco Theater, to Walmart, to TJ Maxx.

Express Route (EMCC)

Leaving TJ Maxx to the Sports Complex, Riverwalk, WIN Job Center, EMCC and will return in the same order.

The city has made parking available at the City Market for students who want to park and ride to EMCC .

LTS Pricing

One-Way Pass $2.50

All Day passes for the general public for $6.00

All Day Bus Pass for Seniors $5.00

Weekly Bus Pass $30.00-Seniors(60 and over) a 40% discount and students a 20% discount

Monthly Bus Pass $100.00-Seniors(60 and over) a 40% discount and students a 20% discount