» Jefferson County

Photo via Jefferson County Community Partnership

Since 2007, the Transportation Solutions Committee of Jefferson County, MO has been creating public and private partnerships to introduce the JeffCo Express, a public transit solution for the communities of DeSoto, Hillsboro, Festus and Arnold. 

The bus has 16 seats and can accomodate two wheelchairs.  Funding has been secured for three years through MODOT’s New Freedom Project to help individuals with disabilities meet their transportation needs, including education, employment and health services.  A one-way ticket is $2 for the general public; $1 for disabled passengers or those 65 and older, with multi-ride passes available. 

The new service uses a deviated, or flex, route to transport passengers.  A flex route allows the driver to deviate off the designated route to pick up or drop off individual passengers that make advance reservations.  According to the Transportation Solution Committee, as long as a person with a disability lives within a one mile radius of a major designated stop and calls within 24 hours, the bus will come to their home to pick them up, and deliver to any requested destination within one mile of major designated stop.  Therefore, the service area of the route is greatly widened, and more convenient for riders.  All route and timetable info for the JeffCo Express is available on their website.

Deviated or flex routes are a great solution for rural or less dense areas, and provide both riders and service agencies with a needed amount of flexibility.  Congratulations to all involved in the JeffCo Express Project, and we wish JeffCo passengers happy and safe travels.  If you have any pictures or experiences seeing or riding the JeffCo Express, send them to blog@nextstopstl.org.