Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA -- The City of Columbia is taking a step forward to help fund area busses.

Columbia City Council voted Wednesday to approve nearly half a million dollars of stimulus money for the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority.

Transit officials say this infusion could be what they need to allow the long-ailing system to get back on route.

"We're hopeful that it may earn us some choice riders," says Mitzi Javers of CMRTA.  "That folks will use the transit system, and then last but not least, that the transit system will become more reliable for those who need it most."

Some of the bigger changes the funds will provide include Sunday service to Harbison and St. Andrews area and a maintenance and improvement plan to city bus stops.

This funding is separate for the possible tax increase city and council will discuss at a joint meeting Thursday.

What do you think of Columbia City Council using $466,000 of stimulus money to upgrade bus stops and reconfigure bus routes?

Should they focus on a permanent fix, or are you okay with this temporary fix.

Leave us a comment below, and watch to see what others had to say when our very own Tim Miller asked the same question on the streets of Columbia Wednesday.