x
Breaking News
More () »

Davenport aldermen override veto, move forward with Citibus changes

Davenport aldermen have voted to override the mayor’s final veto and move ahead with a new transportation plan that redraws and reduces city bus routes.

Davenport aldermen have voted to override the mayor's final veto and move ahead with a new transportation plan that redraws and reduces city bus routes.

On Saturday, December 5, 2015, Mayor Bill Gluba vetoed a new plan for the Citibus system, saying the changes would put unnecessary hardship on many elderly, disabled and low income residents. The plan calls for realigning routes into a more grid-like pattern and cutting the number of routes from 16 to 11, while extending service in the evenings and adding bus service on Sundays.

At Wednesday's City Council meeting, 20 people spoke in support of the mayor's veto, including representatives from the Handicapped Development Center and Humility of Mary Shelter.

"In the past of my ten years driving these buses, I've always felt that the bus system was there for the customers, and we try to help the customers. This new system does not," said one Citibus driver.

"You guys wanna really see what we go through? Ride them buses for awhile," one rider told aldermen.

Aldermen said they are listening to riders' concerns, and agreed to form a transportation advisory committee made up of bus riders and drivers.

Ultimately, though, the City Council voted to override the mayor's veto, 9-1. Alderman Ray Ambrose was the lone dissenting vote.

"You know, it's just a resolution to get it moving, and we've got six months to work on it, and we're gonna get it right. There's a lot of unanswered questions on the routes' specific impact, but I think everybody's in agreement that the concept is the way to go," said Alderman Jeff Justin.

City staff will now begin working out the details of the new plan.

The route changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2016.

Before You Leave, Check This Out