The Tupelo City Council has authorized a study of launching a citywide public transit system.

A citizens’ committee will look at bus routes, rider projections and a funding mechanism, and report back to the City Council.

Mayor Ed Neelly says while rider fees would provide some support for the system, the city would have to provide some financing to maintain the buses, pay the drivers, buy fuel and keep insurance.

Tupelo had a public bus route several decades ago. It also had a specialty bus service through the nonprofit group Lift Inc., but that route served only special-needs individuals and closed a couple years ago after funding problems.