The Columbia Office of Violence Prevention is proposing a new pilot program to make city buses safer.

The plan would place trained community workers, called navigation liaisons, on Go COMO buses to assist riders and connect them to needed services.

The nearly $100,000 proposal will get its first reading at the December 1 City Council meeting.

The city would partner with Powerhouse Community Development Corporation to hire and manage the workers.

Officials say, the goal is to create a more supportive environment while reducing the need for police presence on bus routes.

If approved, the program could begin after a second council vote.