A regional transit provider offered Thursday to take over NRoute’s operations in Vicksburg, giving city leaders another option for maintaining public transportation beyond Sept. 30.
The Claiborne County Human Resource Agency told city leaders it could retain NRoute employees and potentially expand service while operating the city’s existing transit system. The Port Gibson-based agency would seek continued financial support from Vicksburg and use of the city-owned building that houses NRoute.
Mayor Willis Thompson said the city still needs to review the proposal and determine whether an agreement can be reached.
“It’s a very high probability,” Thompson said after the meeting. “I think, at this point, it’s probably at the top of the list, as far as trying to maintain service.”
NRoute commissioners said Wednesday the organization can meet its obligations through Sept. 30 but cannot continue beyond then without a commitment of local funding. NRoute has requested $400,000 from the city for the coming budget year, roughly twice its recent annual allocation.
The Claiborne County agency provides public transportation in Claiborne, Jefferson and Franklin counties. Its director said the agency could add weekend service and transportation to destinations outside Vicksburg.
Mississippi Department of Transportation representative Roderick Bailey said federally funded buses assigned to NRoute could be transferred to another transit provider. The transfer would require state approval.
Bailey said MDOT needs a decision soon because the Mississippi Transportation Commission’s final meeting before the new fiscal year is Sept. 22.
The city is also considering restructuring NRoute or ending its financial support for the service.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen took the proposal under advisement Thursday.
“At the end of the day, the service is most important,” Thompson said.
