Jackson plans $12M for JATRAN upgrade federal money for jatran

The Clarion-Ledger, 3/13/9

The city of Jackson plans to spend almost $12 million in federal and city money this year to upgrade JATRAN, its public bus system.

Money has been set aside to buy 18 buses, three vans, security cameras and computer software and to build a long-planned headquarters off U.S. 80.

“We want the people to ride JATRAN,” said Nina Holbrook, who oversees the bus system. “To do that, we have to make some major changes.”

But city officials say the federal grants and stimulus money will not alleviate JATRAN’s financial problems. The bus system is on track to go over budget again this fiscal year.