By: Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
Is there a mass transit bus system in Branson’s future? If the “million dollar” question can be answered there just might be, and it might be a lot closer than a lot of people think. According to a presentation given by Dr. Montel Wilder, on behalf of Branson Trolley and Transportation Inc. at the July 23 meeting of the city of Branson’s board of aldermen, such a system could be in operation in Branson within a period of nine to twelve months time if their proposal is adopted.
The question about whether the plan was for a “trolley” or “bus” system was answered early on. In the process of introducing the topic, Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley said, “You’re going to talk trolleys to us.” Wilder immediately replied, “We’re going to talk bus systems.”
In making his presentation Wilder said, “There has never been a comprehensive mass transit plan, with the city of Branson’s backing, attempted in the Branson area before.” The plan Wilder proposed would involve three general phases, a microstudy, capital acquisition, and actual operation.
Although he gave a general mention of the capital acquisition and actual operation phases of the plan they are contingent upon the microstudy, establishing the practicality and feasibility of the total plan. The microstudy, will among other things, cover routes, stops, rolling stock, facilitates, advertising, marketing, financial and legal issues, budgeting, and operating contracts. One of the primary purposes of the microstudy will be to test the preliminary ideas and concepts which, he says, Branson Trolley and Transportation Inc. have already developed.
Wilder said, “Someone from our group has been working on some aspect of this venture almost constantly for over the last eight years. That’s why we have specific ideas about what to do and specific ideas how to do it,” He went on to say, “What we need to do is to test it out, tweak it, and hone it so that virtually all of the uncertainty is taken out of the equation and we know exactly where to go and exactly how to get there.”
Wilder mentioned that the microstudy must also answer what he called the “million dollar” question, “How do we keep the trolleys from sitting in traffic with all the other cars?” He went on to point out that Dr. Nathan Gartner, who according to his presentation, is “the foremost expert on putting together computer models in order to alleviate traffic flow and to mitigate traffic stoppage” is working with them on the project, give an extensive list of Gartner’s qualifications and say, “Preliminarily speaking, Dr. Gartner is confident that an excellent workable system can be created.”
The estimated total cost of the micsostudy would be $1.1 million of which $600,000 would come from state and federal grants and $500,000 in matching funds from private investors. Although the city of Branson would provide no actual funds for the microstudy it would be necessary for the city to apply for the grant funds from federal and state sources.
The board had questions regarding routes to the rex plex, who would prepare the paper work for the grants, the actual control of the grant money, and other areas of the proposal. No formal vote was taken by the board regarding the presentation and it was suggested that the matter be further coordinated with city staff.
Furnished courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent.
