During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the operational challenges faced by Sportran, the public transportation service in the area. Senior citizen Mister Rochelle, who has been reliant on Sportran for transportation, voiced his frustrations about the service's inefficiencies, particularly the malfunctioning live map system that is supposed to provide real-time bus tracking. He reported that the system has been only partially functional, with as few as two buses operational at times, despite the fleet consisting of around 50 buses.

Mister Rochelle highlighted that a new tracking system, costing approximately $2.2 million, is set to be implemented early next year. He expressed concern that many of Sportran's users, including low-income individuals and seniors, are left waiting in the elements without reliable information about bus arrivals. He criticized the lack of oversight and responsiveness from Sportran's management, noting that when he reached out for assistance, he received little help.

In response, Mister Washington, a representative from Sportran, acknowledged the issues raised by Mister Rochelle. He explained that the current tracking system, which has been in place for over a decade, has been failing and that they are in the process of replacing it. Washington assured that the new system would provide better service but admitted that the transition period would leave many riders without the real-time information they need.

Council members expressed their commitment to addressing these concerns, with some suggesting that Sportran should improve communication with riders and ensure that dedicated schedules are more accessible. Washington emphasized that while the new system is being developed, they are working to provide accurate schedules online and through integration with mapping services like Google Maps and Apple Maps.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for improvements in Sportran's service delivery, particularly for vulnerable populations who depend on public transportation. As the city prepares for the new system's rollout, the focus remains on ensuring that all riders have access to reliable and timely transportation information.