Starting today, Monday, February 3, citizens needing to go to the doctor, grocery store, work, and other places in Joplin will again have a fixed-route transportation option as the City of Joplin relaunches the Sunshine Lamp Trolley.
“We are very excited to bring this community resource back to our citizens,” said Gina Thompson, Joplin’s Public Transit Coordinator. “There is a real need in our area for public transportation to help people get to and from work, their necessary appointments, pharmacies, and grocery stores. The trolly provides these options efficiently and affordably.”
The trolley offers 67 stops in total, using the three fixed routes to cover most of Joplin. The trolley hours were expanded to start at 6 am and end at 6 pm, making the last stops within the five o’clock hour.
Rides are $2 each, and the Half-Fare Program is offered to individuals who are age 60+, active military/veterans, disabled, or receive Medicare. After hearing citizen feedback, the City added active military and veterans to the discounted program and removed the transfer fee. In addition, ADA complementary paratransit services have been added to the fixed route service for eligible citizens.
To apply for these benefits, riders must complete the Transit Reduced Fare Application or visit the City’s website.
Handipass Booklets, which include 10 or 20 ride vouchers, and individual Trolley Tokens, can be purchased from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Monday through Friday at the Transit Office, 23 S. Main Street, or in the Finance Department located on the third floor of City Hall, 602 Main. If paying with cash, riders should have the exact fare. Drivers cannot make change.
The trolley will travel the existing Red, Blue, and Green routes using the same stops as before, with the addition of a stop at Access Family Care along the Red route to help citizens with additional healthcare services access.
View the trolley route map here. It is also posted on the trolley shelters at many of the stops. Thompson noted that routes and stops will be reviewed, and changes may be made in the future.
The City also offers MAPS, Metro Area Public Transit System, for reliable, courteous, curb-to-curb transportation on a prescheduled basis. Residents can schedule a ride to be picked up and taken to any destination within the MAPS operating boundaries. MAPS service is available in Joplin, Carterville, Duquesne, Duenweg, Oronogo, and Webb City. Call 417.626.8607 or use the new dispatching software, TripSpark and book a trip online.
TripSpark allows riders to schedule 24/7 up to two weeks in advance. To sign up and schedule your ride online, click here.
Reference:
Lynn Iliff Onstot, Public Information Officer
City of Joplin
417.624.0820, ext. 204
LOnstot@joplinmo.org
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