Staffing shortages are causing GO COMO to combine bus routes on Monday

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

Staffing shortages are causing the City of Columbia to combine Bus Routes on Monday.

On Monday, the Red, Blue, and Orange routes will depart from Wabash at 6:45 AM. After completing their routes they will return to Wabash at 7:25 am, and change their designations to the Green, Gold, and Black routes.

They will continue to alternate this way for the remainder of the day and conclude service at 6:40 PM. Regular weekday bus services are expected to resume Tuesday,

According to Columbia Public Works Spokesperson, John Ogan, starting August 1st, these route combinations will become daily and continue until the city's staffing shortages are solved.

There are currently 13 fewer full-time bus operators than the city would like to have employed.

This comes as Union workers are in conversations with the city about pay raises for city workers. ABC 17 spoke with LIUNA representative Andrew Hutchinson two weeks ago regarding city staffing shortages.

"The reason bus routes are scheduled to be severely cut in the coming months is because the city can't properly recruit and retain staff." Said Hutchinson.

In a previous statement to ABC 17 about route combination, Ogan said, "Go COMO acknowledges the strain that this route combining will place upon those dependent on public transit, and we sincerely apologize to our riders,"

The GO COMO schedule for June 12 is now posted on the GO COMO app and its website. Riders are also encouraged to register for text alerts related to bus service on the city's website.