My following point has probably been discussed multiple times, but, Greenville lacks the density, number of jobs, and population in general to make mass transit such as a light rail work. Density breeds need for transit. Transit breeds need for density. Also, there is not a mind set of "mass transit is a great option for me giong to work" in Greenville. Places like Denver which has the mind set of "lets try transit" will have much more sucess.
That being said if we took the "infrastructure improvement budget" and or "road improvement funds" and put those towards "subsidizing transit," transit would work. If find it terribly ironic that the crowd that says transit does not work because it has to be subsidized is typically the same crowd that cries for road improvements. Well, ALL of our roads are subidized by us, the taxpayers. We have one toll road in the upstate, and no one pays for that... yet.
Off point, but last week a cowork of mine had a car totaled by a GTA bus. The bus dropped its universal joint directly in front of his wife's car. She had no option but to run over it, as there was on coming traffic. At that point a GTA mechanic came out and said "this is our fault." Now, GTA has denied his insurance claim. HA! Great way to promote ridership... Use the buses to destroy cars.