November 8, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
Subject: CTA Seeks Public Input for Future of Transit in Coastal Mississippi
Coast Transit Authority (CTA) is calling on Mississippi residents to help develop recommendations for the Strategic Business Plan—a document that will provide guidance for changes to the local transit system over the next decade.
“This plan is based on what the community in Coastal Mississippi values the most, so your thoughts and opinions at this point in the planning process are crucial,” said Ed Elam, a consultant, and project manager on the planning project team.
Providing feedback could payoff; CTA is offering a chance to win one of ten fifty-dollar gift cards or monthly bus passes for lucky respondents. Residents have six weeks to respond and enter the drawing, from November 8 to December 19, 2021.
“As our population is growing and changing, I want to make sure we plan for a transportation system that will best serve the families in our community,” said Kevin Coggin, CTA Executive Director. “We need a system that works for everyone, which is why we’re offering incentives for those who are willing to give their opinions.”
Ultimately, CTA hopes for a high level of response from community partners, existing bus riders, and those who do not currently use transit services to guide our upcoming $1.7 million technology modernization project.
“If you don’t currently ride transit, why not?” Coggin said. “We want to know what we could do better that would encourage you to use our services, and how we could better connect you to transit service through things like access to bikes, scooters, or even micro-transit.”
CTA staff and the project team are considering all modes of transportation in the plan, including driving, walking, bicycling, and taking public transit. Technology improvements will also be a focus of the plan, as traveling in the future could likely include autonomous vehicles, Mobility as a Service (MaaS), and electrified vehicles and transit systems.
“Whether you ride the bus every day or you’ve never taken transit in your life, this plan will impact the way you travel in the future,” Coggin said. “Please help us get the word out and invite as many people as you can to take the survey.”
The survey for CTA’s Strategic Business Plan can be found at coasttransit.com/survey.
For those without digital access, paper copies of the survey will be available at all CTA Transit facilities or at the CTA office located at 333 Debuys Road, Gulfport.
For more information, call 228-896-8080 or visit our website at coasttranist.com.
“CTA, We Keep The Gulf Coast Rolling For You”