News

Mass Transit challenges spark community leadership involvement

  • Published
  • By Capt. Pamela Stauffer
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A smattering of community leaders and officials partnered Oct. 24 and 25 with 78th Air Base Wing change management professionals to drum up innovative ways to reduce the number of cars entering Robins Air Force Base.

The two-day, Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century event rallied participation from the Macon Transit Authority general manager, city planners, 21st Century Partnership representatives, local college and university representatives, Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce, Warner Robins and Centerville city officials, and state representatives.

With nearly 27,000 vehicles entering Robins daily, they block traffic flow, reduce base parking availability, emit pollutants, and drain overall energy mainly through the consumption of fuel.

A new grant was approved for a feasibility study which will help determine the best mass transit options in Houston County. The study would consider initiatives such as the potential for an HOV lane to and from the base during peak base traffic hours and other mass transit related items.

The Robins mass transit working group will continue to ask for regional leadership expertise to achieve mass transit success.

"If we ask for additional state and federal grant money to fund new transit for Robins, we'll have to explain the benefit to the community," said Rick Jones, MTA general manager.

Team Robins and citizens in surrounding communities can expect to encounter surveys asking for opinions related to mass transit.

It's estimated that 62 percent of Robins' traffic comes from Houston County, and about 28 counties would directly benefit from improved base mass transit options.

"We understand that it requires a culture change to participate in transportation initiatives, but shifting to more efficient travel can empower and unite us as a community to overcome challenges and meet goals, together," said Daron Lee, Warner Robins mayor pro tem.

Increased participation in vanpools and carpools can also drastically cut base traffic and help with energy goals. The DoD offers employees up to $230 per month to use towards vanpooling.