greenvillegrows

Have you seen Greenlink's new Transit Master Plan fact sheet? Here's a link to their Master Plan page. Here's a link to sign up for updates. According to the Greenville News, they're going to be asking the community to tell them what kind of services we'd like to have. The fact sheet says the study's going to cost about $275,000, and Clemson, Furman, Greenville Tech, and even Bob Jones are all putting resources into it. I want Greenville to do something better than what everyone else is doing. Right now our bus system is pitiful. Let's not just catch up - let's do something better. I can't find out much else online. Has anyone heard where this is headed?

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The City is selling some of the bus system property next to the Greenville Drive Stadium downtown according to this legal notice. Condo project or what?

Looks like the City is selling some of the bus system property downtown. Here's the link to the Greenville News notice. Does anyone else think it's strange that there was no story printed, just a legal notice? There have sure been plenty of stories about the property before it went up for sale.

Have you seen the GPATS long range transportation plan? Here's the section on mass transit. It's about 17 megs so it may take some time to download, but it covers many of the suggestions discussed lately. The last couple of pages address potential funding ideas. More funding is needed to do anything.

Gov. Sanford just ordered a statewide study of mass transit. Here's the article.

RiverPlace is not in the West End historic district. Anything in the Central Business District still has to go through the Design and Preservation people, but it seems like a skyscraper is in keeping with the CBD. The D&P group may disagree.

I noticed this article on the AP today regarding the new SC D.U.I. bill. It reminded me of the news story last week about the number one cause of death of American teens being traffic related. Have you ever thought about the cost of all the legislation, law enforcement, prison, loss of contribution to society due to imprisonment, court costs, court appointed attorney costs, loss of life costs associated with D.U.I.'s, uninsured motorists, speeding, reckless driving, and all that could be saved if we had adequate and reliable mass transit? Law enforcement could just say "caught once and lose your license for 10 yrs. etc." - ride the bus. Europe has more drinking and underage drinking and many fewer D.U.I. issues. We encourage our uninsured, drunk, stupid, old, and otherwise impaired to drive by giving them no alternative. I don't know how to put a price on human life, but it seems like someone could put a price on some of the rest of it and give us a choice. Should we continue widening the roads or build a real transportation system?

One article about the press conference says that "short-term improvements previewed by the city include repairs to vehicles and renovations at the downtown transfer center, while long-term goals include hiring a permanent director, installing bus shelters and possible expansion." In another article about the press conference, City Manager Jim Bourey says "...in fact, the taxpayers aren't paying anything more. But the investment you do make will be leveraged and be more effective. But in the longterm, additional funding will be needed to expand service and upgrade what we currently have." GMan copied the Journal Article about the BRT line here, but the BRT line appears to have fallen into the longterm/additional funding portion of the press conference.

The Greenville Journal had an article this week in which the city manager talked about the potential of a $100 million BRT line to ICAR. That would be amazing! They'd have to beef up the rest of the system to support something like that wouldn't they?

I heard that there may be a press conference at City Hall on Monday morning regarding the GTA. Maybe it's about the start date, or maybe they've chosen their new Director of Transportation. Any guesses?

Charlotte funds their system to the tune of something like $40 million or more annually - just renewed by public referendum this year (I didn't look up the figure, but I'm sure it's out there). Greenville funds its system something like $500,000/year. That's the difference.

You are right, the name makes a difference. My point is that the City obviously recommended a name change which the GTA made at Wednesday's board meeting. Then, Councilman Payne sends out a lengthy email in support of transit, but in complete disagreement with the name chosen. Even that being said, I would also consider it a monumental victory if County Council were talking the way he does. Unfortunately, they don't. They voted not to decrease funding in response to the City taking a boat load of responsibility for mass transit in our community. The fact that they had to vote not to decrease funding means that someone was considering it. The vote wasn't unanimous. What's equally discouraging is that County Council's recently most vocal supporter, Mr. Payne, isn't suggesting more funding from the County. What's vision without commitment?

According to this article in the Greenville News, at the board meeting on Wednesday, February 27 (day before email), the GTA board voted unanimously to approve new route signage that will cost GTA nothing and a new name for the bus service -- "Greenlink" -- that was suggested by the city." I completely support the sentiment behind Council Member Payne's email, but it demonstrates to me how little our county understands about mass transit - even about planning in general. It also disappoints me that so much "branding" language went into the email when the subject had already been decided. Why argue about what its called? Its name makes very little difference. Let's look at the initial statement: "Greenville Transit Authority (GTA) was given a new lease on life by County Council

Looks like the County Council won't stand in the way of the improvements the City wants to make. Does anybody know if the County is planning on actually providing some real money to the GTA?

Sunday's article regarding the changes at GTA. "...a reduction in county transit funding could put Greenville taxpayers at risk under the new arrangement. The county now contributes $286,000 to GTA, and it should consider increasing its financial commitment." City saves the GTA money, so the County can pay less? It wouldn't take me long to believe someone at County Council could try that. More transportation choices would cost more money. But, it would be money well spent.

Looks like the City is all in today. Congratulations to the Council Members who are taking the plunge.

Anybody care to speculate on Mr. Bob Lloyd's agenda here? Never heard of him having any connection at all to the mass transit situation in Greenville. Don't remember him being quoted as an expert working to solve the transportation issues of Greenville. Now, the day the city finally steps to the plate - the day they finally take a step towards accepting responsibility, he comes out and blasts them for doing it wrong. Is he for real? Is he being paid? Or, is he just being made out by the Greenville News to be something he's not? Sounds like someone who wants attention getting with someone who wants to write about conflict. Related articles: 1, 2, 3

My understanding is that in order for Greenville to copy CAT, they'll need to come up with the $1 million/year that Clemson U. puts into the system and the additional $500,000/year that the Clemson area qualifies for from the Federal Government because of its size (Greenville's too big to qualify). Right now, the City and County of Greenville put something like $500,000/yr in total. I would guess that, with an extra $1.5 million/year, the GTA could make some improvements. I think it would be worth it. What is that about $4/year per County citizen (or $25/city resident). I'm pretty sure the GTA doesn't have the ability to get it - it's up to the politicians to plan for its citizens and prioritize the tax funds appropriately.

I got a copy of the weekly report that the GTA manager sends the board. This week it says that the City gave notice that it will not participate in any joint functions with the GTA. For example, the City will not participate with the GTA in bicycle trails or even website development. Has anyone else gotten an indication about why the city is so hostile towards mass transit? I use the word "hostile" because the city talks up bike trails to anyone that will listen. Why tell the GTA that they won't partner?

Have you seen Greenville's Trails and Greenways Master Plan?

In this Greenville News article "Greenville County Council Chairman Butch Kirven warned Thursday that the county's quality of life is threatened by a projected shortfall in road funding, and he called for exploring solutions, including a possible 1 percent sales tax increase that could only be approved via referendum." Why does the article not mention that mass transit is at least a partial solution to traffic issues? Why does no one connect a possible referendum for funding to an actual solution instead of a stop gap measure to accomodate growth? If you're going to spend $1.1 billion on transportation, lets not just invite more cars to use the road - let's provide a better alternative. Why would I want to vote for more money to make a problem worse? Let's vote for a solution!

Article about the City of Greenville shooting down its own proposal of how to fix the GTA. Nice quote at the end ""We've been so focused for the last 10 years on keeping it alive, we've never gotten around to what GTA will be when it grows up". Sounds accurate. Mayor White, City Manager Jim Bourey, and City Councilman David Suddeth may be willing to take responsibility for fixing Greenville's transit problems, but the rest of City Council seems to consider transit akin to the plague. Hot potato, hot potato!

Mass Transit Plan being presented August 21, 2007 at 1:00 at the Carolina First Center. Draws some interesting conclusions about the state of the GTA and Mass Transit in Greenville.

The issue is, has been, and continues to be funding. Do you think Clemson will fund Greenville's transportation? No. Greenville has to fund Greenville's transportation. The problem is they don't. Maybe turning over management to Greenville will somehow enable our fair leaders to catch up.