Transit System Successes     During the past year South Carolina's transportation organizations have generated a lot of "good news!" Highlights of these activities and accomplishments include the following:

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA: AN OVERVIEW FOR DECISION MAKERS

Public transportation was in the news and in the spotlight for many reasons this year in South Carolina!
• Spiking gasoline prices, overcrowded, high maintenance streets and highways, air quality issues, a fast-growing senior population and local funding constraints sparked public discussions on the need for public transportation and options for funding it in many localities around the state.
• A new federal transit law mandated a coordinated approach to planning for public transportation along with planning for highway infrastructure and community livability. The planning process brought people with diverse interests together to work proactively on solutions for the present and future, and created new links between planning for land use, road and highway design, safety and maintenance and public transportation.
• New federal laws and policies are making coordination in planning, transit operations and use of resources the rule, rather than the exception in many parts of the state. Designation of SC Councils of Government as regional entities to engage in transit coordination planning and project development in rural and small urbanized areas of the state will involve local government to a greater extent than ever before.
• 2006 saw the organization of transit advocacy groups in many areas of the state and brought to the forefront the need for more local funding to support operations and to draw available federal transit dollars into the state.
The Transportation Association of South Carolina (TASC) represents the diverse organizations which form the infrastructure of public transportation in our state. This includes a range of transportation providers from public transit to small, specialized, rural human service organizations and the manufacturers, suppliers, planners, educational institutions, businesses and advocates which support them. We present this report on plans, accomplishments, issues and needed actions to inform you and to ask for your support for the important service we render to the state and its citizens.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF HAVING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION?
A convenient, well-operated transportation network is a plus in
• attracting and sustaining business and industry,
• supporting hospitality and tourism,
• attracting retirees,
• supporting independent community living for older adults and people living with disabilities
• reducing congestion on our streets,
• improving safety on roads and streets
• protecting our environment
• maintaining a healthy and well-educated population

WHO HELPS TO PAY FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT?
Currently, one quarter of one penny of the state revenues from the motor fuel user fee of 16.75 cents per gallon is designated for public transportation. In FY 2005-2006 the total state investment amounted to approximately $6 million , matched with federal funds and distributed to four large urban area providers, six small urban area providers and seventeen rural area providers. Local governments contributed varying amounts in some counties to help support local transit services. Many local providers in rural areas sought additional contracts with human service programs, which in some cases, can help to match federal transit dollars. Public passengers pay fares, which help to contribute toward operation of service, but by no means cover the cost for providing services. The drawdown of federal funds totals approximately $30 million. The ability to draw down more federal funds is limited by the available matching funds from state and local resources. Our four large urban systems get no operating assistance from the Federal Transit Administration and must rely on state and local funds to cover the costs of operations. We cover 100% of the costs of roads and highways, with the exception of a very few toll roads. It is to the state’s benefit to support some of the cost of public transportation as well!

WHO RIDES?
• Commuters, mostly people who work in Columbia but live in smaller towns an hour or less away are enjoying the convenience, economy and stress reduction of using “Smart Ride” services – no parking or traffic hassles and a guaranteed ride home are making this service attractive to many.
• Tourists in our cities appreciate the ability to get around and local folks appreciate the reduction in street congestion thanks to transit options for tourists.
• Workers employed in hospitality at resorts and in businesses and industry ride from local and outlying areas to get to work – a win-win for both employer and employees.
• People with disabilities are able to pursue full lives in their communities, including getting to higher education, work, shopping, recreation and other necessary destinations thanks to the availability of public transportation.
• People not physically or financially able to drive are able to live more independently in their homes and communities if they have access to transportation. Since South Carolina is the nation’s fourth most popular retirement destination, and at the same time we are looking ahead to our own native population growing older by leaps and bounds, all South Carolina communities need to be planning to assure that they will be prepared as changing demographics change needs and demands from local citizens.

HOW ARE WE PLANNING TO MEET PRESENT AND FUTURE NEEDS?
SCDOT has placed greater emphasis on transit planning by creating a Transit Planning section within their Office of Planning. Two transit planners were transferred from the Division of Mass Transit and a Transit Planning Chief came on board in July. SCDOT will integrate transit planning into the overall fabric of the Agency’s operations. There are two major transit planning initiatives underway now.
Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan: will develop policies and practices that provide the best system of transportation for passengers and freight to meet the needs and conditions in South Carolina. Elements of the plan will include transit, rail and highway planning and will have the long-range goal of enabling the public to shift from one mode to another. This plan is scheduled for completion by the Fall of 2007.
Statewide Coordination Plan: In partnership with SC Councils of Government, SCDOT is developing ten regional coordination plans to address intra- and inter-regional transportation coordination needs and issues. The key end product of these plans will be prioritized strategies to increase coordination of transportation services in each region. These plans will form the basis for a statewide coordination plan and are targeted for completion in the Fall of 2007.

HIGHLIGHTS AND SUCCESSES
During the past year, South Carolina’s transportation organizations have generated a lot of good news! Highlights of activities and accomplishments include the following:
• The Coast RTA has many successes to report. Among them are
o A major efficiency overhaul including routes, staffing, purchasing, use of equipment and reduction of maintenance costs by over $80,000
o A new name, look and logo ( from “Lymo” to “The Coast RTA”)
o Improvement of communication system to Nextel radios, eliminating many dead spots of former system
o Improvements in hurricane and emergency preparedness
• Spartanburg Transit reports an 8% ridership increase during the past fiscal year
• York County Council on Aging has provided transportation services seniors, Medicaid clients and Family Independence passengers for years. In March, 2006, York County contracted with the Council on Aging to provide rural, public demand response transportation services. Now you rarely see a vehicle running with an empty seat and rural residents of the county have access to medical appointments, shopping and employment. YCCoA is also negotiating with the City of Rock Hill to provide transportation services in the urban portion of the county. COA Director Wendy Duda, gives kudos to Sherron Marshall of the Catawba COG for support and coordination leadership to help bring this about.
• Williamsburg County Transit Authority is helping to keep local citizens employed and supporting the hospitality industry by providing low-cost transportation to the Grand Strand for workers. The Transit Authority is also providing transportation, through contracts with local agencies, to medical care, training, employment. Two of the county’s major employers Tupperware and Hemingway Apparel, are served by subscription bus service for employees. Director, Reverend Michael Burgess says that the transportation they provide is a “lifeline for people in the county.”
• The League of Women Voters has launched a public awareness and advocacy campaign to support public transit statewide. League members from all over the state will communicate with elected officials with a series of messages on the benefits of public transportation. The first message addresses economic benefits of public transportation and features photos of a few of the thousands of customers and employees of public transportation systems around the state.
• Clemson Area Transit (CAT) added Seneca to its Clemson area transportation network in October, with three new buses. Now people in Seneca will be linked to three other counties and four universities in the CAT service area! Three routes offer residents access to residential areas, businesses and other popular destinations. CAT set new records during the year, safely carrying over 1.5 million passengers. Their 75 employees and 26 buses operate 24/7 and the system was recognized as “Best Transit System” in 2006, as it completed ten years of service to area citizens.
• Pee Dee RTA transported 280 job seekers to a large regional job fair at the Myrtle beach Convention Center. The job fair was sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Hospitality Association and helps to link employers with future employees. Once hired, Pee Dee transit customers can count on rides to work. In peak season, PEE DEE buses run twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to meet the needs of local residents and the hospitality industry.
• Greenville Transit Authority celebrated 30 years of service with a record-setting ridership of nearly 900,000 during the past year – 20% above 2005 ridership levels. The development of Greenville as both a weekend and a conference destination promises even further increases in demand for the service. A Tram-Trail project between downtown Greenville and Travelers Rest is generating conversations among Greenville agencies to consider the bus rapid transit concept on an abandoned rail line. The Greenville County Economic Development Corporation purchased the rail line in the late 1990’s.
• The Allendale County “Scooter” provides public transportation to the citizens of Allendale County. On average the Scooter completes 733 passenger trips each month, while assisting local agencies, such as DSS, Parks and Recreation and industries, like Grant Forest Products. The Scooter has received national recognition during the year for its innovation and coordination efforts.
• The Bamberg “Handy Ride” is a sister system to the Scooter and debuted in May of 2006. It has continued to grow in popularity among citizens of Bamberg. The Handy Ride is a public transportation system which enables local residents to get to medical appointments, work or simply take care of daily errands. The public arranges for rides through a local Mobility Manager, who matches requests to available seats on local human service vehicles participating in the county system. Both systems were developed with leadership from the Lower Savannah Council of Governments and are operated in cooperation with local government, local agencies and the Lowcountry RTA.
• Newberry County Council on Aging offers public transportation in the county, and on a limited basis, to out-of-county destinations. In July, NCCOA began administering the Smart Ride Program, in partnership with Central Midlands RTA, to provide convenient commuter service into Columbia and back. A growing group of riders is enjoying “leaving the driving to them” on daily commutes!
• Senior Services, Inc. of Chester County received Federal Transit Administration funding to begin a rural transit service there. Already serving the public with a local pay program, Medicaid transportation and transportation for seniors, the agency will open up available seats on its vehicles and open new morning and evening routes for passengers needing service to employment, medical services, school, etc. Ridership during the first five months of operation show an average of 650 passenger trips per month for public riders. Senior Services thanks Sherron Marshall, of Catawba COG and the Chester County Transit workgroup for help and support to bring public transportation to Chester County!
• Central Midlands RTA celebrated with driver Phillip “Pat” Patterson, who took FIRST place in the 35’ category of the American Public Transit Association International Bus “Roadeo.” This was his fifth year to participate in the event. CMRTA also began a new partnership with McEntire Produce. This local company has agreed to pay for the entire cost of extending bus service to their warehouse facility, which was not previously served by public transit. This 15 minute extension of the route has been averaging 25 passengers per trip since November. CMRTA is helping to generate about $50,000 in additional revenue to support their service with a new bus advertising program, and will be offering riders an extra convenience as new bus shelters, benches and recycling containers at many area bus stops.
• Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Rural Transportation management Association (BCDRTA) has entered into a service coordination agreement with the Charleston Area RTA (CARTA) to offer riders a reciprocal transfer agreement among systems. This agreement means extended options for both urban and rural residents. BCD RTMA is also working with CARTA to coordinate feeder routes to the CARTA fixed route system and new express service. The system is also looking forward to expansion in rural service beginning in Charleston County in the fall.
• Local Motion in Barnwell County has just conducted an efficiency study and a survey of local employers on transportation needs of their workers. Barnwell County Council contributed funding to support additional service for employees of local business and industry to get to work.
• Charleston Area Regional Transit Authority (CARTA) had great results from a summer-long campaign to encourage trial ridership. During four “Free Ride Fridays” each month during the period June through September, more than 58,000 riders tried CARTA, and many of them kept riding. Ridership is up substantially since the campaign! Most recently, CARTA has launched a new Express service – limited stop, premium service which will connect area residents to key commuter destinations. Free parking in four locations adjacent to bus stops and a comfortable charter-style commute will give commuters a great experience getting to work. “CARTA Express sill be a CARTA unlike anything Charleston residents have seen before.” Says Executive Director Howard Chapman. “It’s going to offer an entirely different kind of commute!” Express service will be available for $2 per trip, or by monthly pass for $64, good on all CARTA routes.
• The James E. Clyburn Transportation Center at South Carolina State University conducted its annual Statewide Transportation Research and Curriculum Needs Conference in November. The focus this year was fiscal responsibility in rural transit operations and was held in cooperation with SCDOT.
• A group of Orangeburg and Calhoun County leaders are working with Lower Savannah Council of Governments to explore feasibility and discuss options for developing a shared-ride public transportation system similar to the ones in Allendale, Bamberg and Chester Counties. Local legislators, County Council members, mayors, service agency and business representatives, and the Clyburn Transportation Center are working together with LSCOG staff to plan for this new service.
• The Lower Savannah Council of Governments received word just at year’s end that it was selected as one of only eight transportation organizations in the country to receive a $375,000.00 grant for technology planning from the US Department of Transportation. This makes the third national grant going to support innovative work at LSCOG to design, develop and implement a model regional Travel Information and Assistance and Mobility Management center. The center will assist individuals who are seeking transportation in or around the region and will be a coordination hub for a regional transportation system made of local public, private and human service transportation providing agencies and organizations. Applying transportation technology, adapted for a rural area will advance the success of the center.
• The Orangeburg Disabilities and Special Needs Board decided after just a few weeks of trying out a new arrangement contracting with Santee Wateree RTA for service in Orangeburg County for some of its consumers that the service provided by SWRTA was courteous, reliable, well-adapted for their special passengers and considerably more affordable than trying to provide the transportation themselves! Representatives from the Disabilities agency reported that they were hoping to contract with SWRTA for more service in the future!
• Seeing the value of both the Smart Ride and local public transit service in his area, Representative Walt McLeod, along with several other sponsors introduced a bill to increase the amount of motor fuel user fees available to support public transportation operations in the state from ¼ penny to 2 pennies. Supporters advocate for more balanced distribution of the current 16.75 cents per gallon tax to support a service whose importance is increasingly being recognized by local leaders.
• Aiken’s Best Friend Express serves urbanized Aiken County with fixed route and paratransit service for people with disabilities. New buses, a new logo and advertising campaign, routes improved for service and cost effectiveness and integration with new demand-response service in rural parts of the county make the citizens of Aiken County better served than ever before with public transportation.

HOW CAN WE KEEP MOVING FORWARD?
• Increased public awareness of the value of public transportation all across the state
• Adequate state and local funding for operations and match
• Continued state, regional and local coordinated planning for highways, community livability and public transportation
• A mandate at the state level for coordination of human service and public transportation resources and services
• State and national investment in technology to enhance efficiency, resource coordination and accountability among transit providers