A Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority public hearing to explain rate increases drew little interest Friday. Rates for the city's fixed-route bus system and the countywide cab service are set to increase April 1.

Only two senior advocates from the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging attended, along with transit authority employees and three media members.

The authority is raising its cab rates by 50 cents per ride and its general public rates for bus riders will go from $1 to $2, although seniors and the disabled will see no increases for bus rides.

Transit authority officials said the increases, which are expected to generate $40,000 a year, are needed to offset rising fuel costs.

Pertinent Address:

937 Broadway, Suite 200, Cape Girardeau, MO, 63701