VALDOSTA — Citizens had their first opportunity to provide input on a Transit Implementation Plan for the Valdosta Urbanized Area. A transit public involvement meeting was held Wednesday at the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi Purpose Room, 300 N. Lee St.

Corey Hull, Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Planning Organization coordinator, and John T. Funny, project director for Grice & Associates Inc., took turns explaining what has been done so far and outlining the steps that will lead to implementation of a plan that will have numerous benefits for citizens of Valdosta and Lowndes county.

“You will have a system up and running by 2010,” Funny said.

The South Georgia Regional Development Center (SGRDC), the Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and consultants from Grice & Associates Inc. have been meeting with key stakeholders in the community pursuant to the implementation of a public transit system.

The primary goals of the plan are to increase mobility and accessibility within the community, to determine transit routes appropriate for the Valdosta area, to provide an alternative mode of transportation, and to contribute to the region’s economic competitiveness.

The Transit Implementation Plan, in essence, continues the work of the previously completed 2006 Transit Feasibility Study. Among the benefits of having a transit system are, according to plan advocates:

• It improves air quality by reducing the number of cars on the street.

• It alleviates parking problems and traffic congestion.

• It improves employment opportunities for people without cars by helping them get to work and school.

• It provides employment opportunities for those who will be hired to work for transportation providers.

• It enables more students to attend Valdosta State University, Valdosta Technical College and other schools without their parents having to invest in cars.

• It assists people without cars in reaching businesses to shop.

• It enables people without cars to participate in more community activities.

• It provides advertising space for businesses and others wishing to promote their services.

• It saves money and gas.