Credit the Jefferson City Council with building momentum on public transit.
At a Monday work session, council members moved ahead on two separate, but related, fronts.
One was unanimous approval of a motion to seek a consultant to draft a strategic plan for public transportation.
Regarding a consultant, we harbor both reservations and skepticism.
We share concerns voiced by both 5th Ward Councilman Larry Henry and 4th Ward Councilman Glen Costales, who asked whether available resources within the city or from other Missouri cities could negate the need for a consultant, estimated between $50,000 and $75,000.
We also have heard the refrain among some council members that the city cannot spend more on public transit, a money-losing operation across the globe.
If the motivation for seeking a consultant is nothing more than affirmation that public transit is financially unfeasible, council members whose minds are made up ought to spare taxpayers the added cost.
If, however, the motivation for seeking a consultant is to explore possible ways to close the fiscal gap by streamlining operations or tapping added funding - including federal funding and other sources - a consultant's expertise may prove cost-effective.
On a separate matter, we commend Henry, Costales and 4th Ward Councilman Carlos Graham for pursuing a request for establishment of a transit advisory group for the city.
Although the request - advanced by transit supporters organized as Citizens for JeffTran - was not a scheduled topic at the work session, the trio of council members raised and advanced it.
Citizens for JeffTran has become a squeakier wheel, with members less inclined to be put off or brushed off by government officials.
Regarding the group's request, Henry called for action. "We need one (a city advisory committee) and I don't understand why we keep dragging it out."
Graham, with support from Henry and Costales, volunteered to take the lead and work with city staff to draft an ordinance creating the advisory panel.
Public transit is a thorny issue, largely because operations are not profitable and not demanded by a large constituency.
But improved mobility for all Jefferson Citians also improves upward mobility in our community.
It may be too early to determine whether public transit enhancements are feasible, but we commend council members who are willing to tackle the tough issues.