Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – April 10, 2024 – Lee Wells, interim director of the Jonesboro Economical Transportation (JET) since October 2023, has been appointed as the full-time director, according to a news release.
Wells has been supervising daily operations and ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local laws, while building a positive work environment for its more than 2 dozen employees in the department.
Wells’ experience in transit dates back to his start as a shuttle driver for Victory Shuttle as well as a bus driver for the Paragould School District. His professional credentials as a Class B CDL with Passenger & School Bus Endorsements as well as Target Training International Leadership allows him a perspective as a driver that only serves to better the city’s system.
“With the highly anticipated new hybrid trolleys joining the fleet later in 2024, the opportunity to build a system that best fits the city’s growing needs is prime,” Mayor Harold Copenhaver said. “As interim director, Lee has proven his leadership skills and his interest in modernizing the system for its thousands of residential users proves he is the right fit to move us forward.”
The City of Jonesboro received a grant of $878,584 for five low- or no-emission trolley-style buses in August 2022 by the U.S. Department of Transportation, with another $1.188 million granted in June 2023 as a part of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021.
“The recent success with federal grants provides the city an opportunity for reimagining how the city bus system looks, operates, and serves our community,” Copenhaver said. “It serves our community and it’s nearly 100,000 riders per year.”
Wells position as JET Director is effective immediately.
The JET system is a critical form of transportation for many to get to work, medical appointments, and necessary daily activities.