At a proposed COMET super stop on Lucius Road in Columbia, cracks in the concrete formed early in the project’s construction from an apparent leakage.

Since 2020, COMET has been working on a "superstop" at the corner of Lucius Road and River Drive to help alleviate congestion at its downtown transfer hub. But after years of engineering problems and disagreement among board members about moving bus lines, it appears the initial plan will be scrapped.

According to the agency's director, Maurice Pearl, he will recommend that they repurpose the concrete pad into a parking lot for COMET employees and as a training site for new bus drivers.

The contentious project quickly encountered engineering problems as cracks and water leaks appeared after the concrete had been poured. And some COMET board members resisted bus routes being rerouted from COMET Central in downtown, as well as the lack of shade, bathrooms and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure around the proposed superstop.

"As far as my vision on the transit system and our routes, it does not fit within that frame and help or benefit the public, our transit riders,” Pearl said in an interview. “I'll take what my vision is to the board and then seek an alternative use for that property.”

Pearl will give his recommendation and the results of a construction company’s report on the site’s engineering problems at a COMET Board of Directors meeting either later this month or in April.

Trees to protect riders from the afternoon sun and bathroom facilities were not included in a proposed COMET super stop on Lucius Road.

COMET Central

Boris Palchik with Warner Transportation Consulting presented solutions to the COMET Board of Directors on Feb. 12.

Palchik was clear that relocating bus line convergences, known as “pulse points,” from COMET Central to other parts of the city was among the “least equitable” options for the transit agency.

That’s because COMET Central is a “destination-rich environment,” within a few blocks of social services, health care and Columbia City Hall. The pedestrian-friendly area allows for more “one-seat rides” — which makes transit a more attractive and simple solution, Palchik said.

This “least equitable” option was initially the COMET Board of Director’s first choice with the Lucius and River superstop. The superstop would have rerouted five lines serving areas around Eau Claire, Fairfield, St. Andrews, North Main and Broad River Road from the COMET Central location, losing access to downtown.

In 2022 Fergess accused the agency’s leadership of not being transparent with the plans and said that the superstop was a “backdoor effort” to close COMET Central. COMET leadership has since changed.

A more dramatic revamping of the COMET system was also recommended, to help reduce the role of COMET Central in the functionality of the fixed-route network.

The consultant also recommended axing the downtown Soda Cap route, which is better served by existing routes and has generated low ridership, and reinvesting the money elsewhere. Most Soda Cap routes have fewer than five passengers on most trips, according to Palchik.

“Elimination of Soda Cap routes would have minimal impact on ridership, while freeing up resources to improve other routes/and or introduce new service," the consultant's slideshow said.