Video: MSU SMART Bus Routes

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STARKVILLE, Miss.(WCBI)–A public transportation system linking the Starkville community with riders from the MSU Campus is extending it’s routes into the community, as it continues the mission of safely transporting riders.

For awhile now, there has been a successful mass transit system for riders using SMART buses, which is short for Starville-MSU Area Rapid Transit. And for the last few weeks the buses have been running in new directions.

“And what we’ve seen is that there is now a great reliance on that system for the movement of people inn the city of Starkville. Not just for students and its been a tremendous asset we feel for the betterment of the community and quality of life for those who don’t have vehicles and other modes of transportationJeremiah Dumas/MSU Parking & Transit.

Listening to feedback from transit riders, a decision was made to alter the larger Boardtown Route.

“We knew that we needed to change that route so we split that in half. And we have quicker run times now so we have grown that service to the Salvation Army, and Dirt Cheap, and Emerson Family School. We’ve grown up North Montgomery to serve North Montgomery and Garrad Road,” said Jeremiah Dumas/MSU Parking & Transit.

“I think those two newer routes was very intelligent to do because we really need them and they help individuals that can’t quality to receive a drivers license,” said Ossie Claude Tellemaque/SMART Rider.

Future plans for the transit system calls for a regional approach, with an even longer extended arm into the community.

“And we are working with MDOT and we are working with GTR Airport and so our plans are to in the next four to five to six months, hopefully by the end of, beginning of the calendar year, we’ll provide bus service to and from the airport,” said Jeremiah Dumas.

The spacious SMART buses and trolley rides are free, and they are air conditioned for rider comfort.