City council to pursue creation of city bus service

Homewood City Council approved full funding of the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority's bus services, but the city's participation in the program may be short-lived. Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones said council members are looking into options to create their own bus service to run throughout Homewood.

The issue arose during budget hearings, when the BJCTA requested an increase in Homewood's funding from $293,000 to about $347,000. This would not include an increase in services, but rather would help with the construction of the transit authority's downtown intermodal facility and new buses. Homewood is the third highest contributor to the transit authority.

The council initially decided to keep funding at $293,000 and let the BJCTA cut some of its service to match this. Since they did not have any options available at the time for their own service, Jones said, the council decided to pay the increased amount in return for a new Samford route.

The funding motion passed 6-3 at the Oct. 10 council meeting, with Ward 1 Representatives Michael Hallman and Britt Thames and Ward 3 Representative Patrick McClusky opposing.

This year's budget includes $20,000 to pay a consultant to help the city come up with a plan for its own service. Jones said some residents have suggested using a historic trolley for some of its routes. The bus service would not only need to transport riders around Homewood but also have a central hub for riders to connect to BJCTA buses going to and from other Birmingham locations.

Jones said he expects a consultant will start work within three to four weeks, and recommendations for how to move forward will be available around January.