Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

As the City of Monroe continue to look for ways to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, Monroe Transit General Manager Marc Keenan believes that his department can do something about the situation. Knowing that Transit operators of the city bus fleet come in contact with the public on a daily basis, Keenan sent an emergency ordinance to the city council seeking waiver approval of bus fees by passengers. At Tuesday(April 14)night regular city council meeting, the ordinance being considered as an emergency, was passed 5-0 by council members. As in previous council meetings, the same format was used with members sitting at least six(6)feet apart from each other with no audience present because of Governor John Bel Edwards' order to maintain social distancing. Keenan told council members that the ordinance would be in place "as long as the situation warranted, but also as long as the governor deemed necessary. Keenan said this measure will help "protect his drivers", and hopefully help reduce the spread of the virus. He further explained that through the handling of money with passengers in such a closed environment, thereby violating social distancing requirements, drivers are directly exposed. Keenan proposed that passengers would get on the bus from the rear, eliminating any contact with drivers. That is a concern for all city transit operators nationwide because a transit bus driver in Detroit died recently from the virus from passengers who were coughing on his bus route. He allegedly made a complaint to transit officials, but he died within a matter of weeks from the virus. According to the city's website(https://monroela.us), passengers are encouraged to wear face coverings or masks when utilizing the Monroe Transit System in an effort to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

In other council matters, a Capital Improvement Program for the City of Monroe was passed by a 5-0 vote that will entail the city taking on a number of projects for city infrastructure improvements. The ordinance was introduced at the March 24 city council meeting, includes over $211 million dollars in proposed spending for an array of city projects that were explained by Mayor Jamie Mayo at an March 23 press briefing. The projects slated were in drainage improvements such as at the Georgia Street Pump Station, Oregon Trail Protection Levee, Calypso Pump Station and Young's Bayou Retention Bond. Other projects involved sidewalk and lighting on Winnsboro Road, Jackson Street, Desiard Street and also in other areas such as fire, airport and various water& sewer improvements. The Capital Improvement Program is for five (5) years beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2025.

Photo Monroe Transit City Bus