Greenville Business Magazine 2010 May issue : Page 18››industry trends vision and a plan. And I also have to mention the city maintenance division that keeps us running, literally.” Education is a huge part of Greenlink’s mission, too. Schmitt will actually bring a bus to a school or organization as part of their “Explore a Bus” program. So many children have never seen the inside of a bus, nor do they know anything about mass transit, so this can be an early introduction for future riders. Another program, “Riding the Bus 101” helps understand how to navigate the system from deciphering maps, fare structures and even waiting develop a vision and “a master plan to help the GTA and its partners establish transit policies and funding needed to develop a sustainable transit system to meet current needs and support future economic and community development.” For more than thirty years, Green- ville’s public transportation has suffered inadequate funding and limited service. In a study from the 2008 National Transit database of six similar cities, Greenville had the second highest population (248,200) but was last in the number of buses (11). It also had the lowest operating budget of $3.5 million when compared to the same six cities, three of which had budgets exceeding $10 million. To address this problem, the GTA launched a six month vision and master plan in 2009 to chart the direction of public transportation in Greenville. According to Matt Carter,GTA board president and another passionate believer, “one of the overriding goals… is to build increased community support for transit…and [to include] develop- ment of short (3-5 year) and long term (10 year) improvement plans and sustainable financing plans.” Greenville’s businesses, citizens and officials have “long advocated for improved transit services and more transportation options,” but again, according to Carter, 18 GREENVILLEBUSINESSMAG.COM | MAY 2010 “transit has to be repositioned in the minds of the citizens.” One group that is now taking advan- tage of our buses is the large bicycling contingent in Greenville. Every bus has room for two bicycles and it is not uncommon to see them on the outside of a bus as riders choose to bike one way and return via public transportation. With this growing audience that had 184 riders in March of 2010, the GTA is looking at ways to carry even more cycles and, thereby, cyclists. Much has been written about what is wrong with Greenville’s public trans- portation service, but we need to know that there is a lot that is right about it. When Shelia Schmitt, the General Manager of Greenlink Transit, talks about the bus drivers, her eyes light up. “They are enthusiastic and dedicated employees who go beyond any job description and this is part of the reason that 83 percent of customers regard the service as excellent.” Greg Baney, Greenlink’s Transit Planner and Grants Manager, is excited about the Transit Terminal on McBee being renovated. He says “with the city involved,we could get grants to fund the updating of the terminal and that will give users a whole new outlook on the service.” Jackson adds, “we are blessed with an active and involved and engaged board that knows how important it is to have a on and exiting buses. Again, this can be done for any organization or group. You can schedule this by calling 467-2700 or emailing info@RideGreenlink.com and putting in either “Ride the Bus 101 Request” or “Explore a Bus Request” in the subject line. The GTA board and Carl Jackson are adamant about getting the word out about our transit system, what is happening with the master plan and what the community has to say. Some- one will come and meet with groups or give presentations — whatever suits your program. This can be scheduled by emailing info@GreenLink.com and putting “Speaker Request” in the subject line. They can also be scheduled by calling Lorrie Brown at 467-2700. Greenlink has an excellent website with a copy of what has been done to date for the transit vision and master plan. Visit www.ridegreenlink.com for a variety of information. Greenville is known for its quality of life — from it’s vibrant downtown to the spreading suburbs. Part of that quality means looking to the future for moving people efficiently from their origins to their destinations and that means mass transit. So think about it when you see a bus — hopefully in the future, you may be on it. ■ REASONS TO RIDE All Greenlink vehicles have been powered by bio-diesel fuel since 2008. Every Greenlink bus is equipped with bike racks. Public transportation gives people options to get to work, school, visit friends, go to the doctor. Public transportation reduces congestion and saves fuel. Access to bus and rail lines reduces driving by 4,400 miles per household annually. Public Transportation provides economic opportunities — every dollar invested generates about $6 in returns. Public Transportation can reduce household gas consumption by 223 gallons per year. Public Transportation affects the quality of life in a community. Publication List |
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