Columbia's Transit Bus System in serious trouble (Greenville, Lexington: employment, transfer to)

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by Columbiadata

When more feet are on the street on Main the homeless who choose not to go somewhere else will blend in. The trolleys will be important for tying all the downtown districts together into what the mayor called a powerhouse downtown district.

Speaking of the homeless, released inmates constitute a certain percentage of that group and I think there needs to be some sort of program where instead of being released and bussed to the downtown Sumter Street station, they can be bussed back to where they're from (or back to where they were convicted). It's unfair for Columbia to completely shoulder that burden.

But otherwise, you're correct; it's "solution by dilution" as I've heard it called. Revitalizing a Main Street and putting more feet on the street in the evening hours isn't done overnight and many other cities can attest to that; it's a years-long process. Columbia is definitely making the right moves and progress continues to be made in that regard. At least Columbia's Main Street didn't regress to the level that other cities' did, so there's still a lot of things in place to build off of.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

Speaking of the homeless, released inmates constitute a certain percentage of that group and I think there needs to be some sort of program where instead of being released and bussed to the downtown Sumter Street station, they can be bussed back to where they're from (or back to where they were convicted). It's unfair for Columbia to completely shoulder that burden.

But otherwise, you're correct; it's "solution by dilution" as I've heard it called. Revitalizing a Main Street and putting more feet on the street in the evening hours isn't done overnight and many other cities can attest to that; it's a years-long process. Columbia is definitely making the right moves and progress continues to be made in that regard. At least Columbia's Main Street didn't regress to the level that other cities' did, so there's still a lot of things in place to build off of.

There has gotta be a "program" for some of the inmate population to find a better option than going downtown and just hanging around.. which may inevitably get them right back to where they just left... The question is whether or not some of these individuals CHOOSE to enter a program and thus get bussed somewhere else or placed in a transitional facility. Unless the Court can mandate it.. many without families they will ultimately decide to go where the action is.. which in this case is downtown. I am surprised by the number of homeless people in Columbia.. I am certain much of it has to do with the inmate population that you mentioned, followed by the mentally ill that are turned out of their facilities in the day because they may be only (pardon the expression)"a little crazy as opposed to crazy as hell" and thus not dangerous, then those who may just be drifters or down on their luck from the economy or foreclosure. The Oliver Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army "uptown" continue to be a draw for this population not to mention the courts are all downtown and many of these folks may be in and out of court rooms for one reason or another. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers or solutions for this problem. .

[Woodlands]

Lexington County threatens to end bus aid - Newsletters - TheState.com (http://www.thestate.com/2011/01/20/1654003/lexington-county-threatens-to.html - broken link)#

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

Lexington County threatens to end bus aid - Newsletters - TheState.com (http://www.thestate.com/2011/01/20/1654003/lexington-county-threatens-to.html - broken link)#

Way to go Lexington County! Demand some accountability.

I am puzzled though. I found ridership numbers on the transit website. Are these bogus numbers? Why would Lexington not accept the numbers.

[Columbiadata]

Originally Posted by gsupstate

Way to go Lexington County! Demand some accountability.

I am puzzled though. I found ridership numbers on the transit website. Are these bogus numbers? Why would Lexington not accept the numbers.

They want to know how many of the people who ride the Lexington County routes are Lexington County residents. More parochialism.

[Columbiadata]

Warren Bolton, Associate Editor of The State, sums up the transit issue very well in the attached editorial.

Bus dreams - Warren Bolton - TheState.com (http://www.thestate.com/2011/01/20/1653831/bus-dreams.html - broken link)

[LexingtonDad]

Originally Posted by gsupstate

Way to go Lexington County! Demand some accountability.

I am puzzled though. I found ridership numbers on the transit website. Are these bogus numbers? Why would Lexington not accept the numbers.

As someone mentioned earlier, Lexington wants numbers specific to Lexington county ridership. The thought is that the overwhelming majority of riders are coming from Columbia/Richland into Lexington to work and not the other way around. If that is so then there is little reason to financially support something that does not benefit Lexington county citizens.

I believe Lexington is concerned about getting dragged into supporting something they can't control. The decision that they are working on is should we continue to support (and maybe even seek expansion) of the current system or set up a much smaller alternate system designed to serve a very small demographic. One that can be controlled by local government and will not become a de facto jobs program.

The support Lexington county provides is a small portion of the total budget and wouldn't be missed. But the symbolic message that would be sent by them dropping out of the program would be huge.

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by LexingtonDad

As someone mentioned earlier, Lexington wants numbers specific to Lexington county ridership. The thought is that the overwhelming majority of riders are coming from Columbia/Richland into Lexington to work and not the other way around. If that is so then there is little reason to financially support something that does not benefit Lexington county citizens.

I believe Lexington is concerned about getting dragged into supporting something they can't control. The decision that they are working on is should we continue to support (and maybe even seek expansion) of the current system or set up a much smaller alternate system designed to serve a very small demographic. One that can be controlled by local government and will not become a de facto jobs program.

The support Lexington county provides is a small portion of the total budget and wouldn't be missed. But the symbolic message that would be sent by them dropping out of the program would be huge.

Thanks. Makes perfect sense.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Columbiadata

They want to know how many of the people who ride the Lexington County routes are Lexington County residents. More parochialism.

I guess they want to create a jitney service of small vans that funnel people to/from downtown Columbia as opposed to buses???

Richland and Columbia might as well just bite the bullet and pay Lexington's share and then decrease their support for some other jointly funded initiative which would require Lexington to increase their share (eg the Airport, Midlands Tech, or whatever). That way all the politicos can go back to their constituents and say..." I told those big city bas*ared to stick it" (Lexington); " I told those SOB in Texington County to suck an egg" (Columbia-Richland).... everyone looks good in the eyes of their constituents and we get on down the road.. Nothing really changes just the pocket the money comes out of .....which is what is ultimately going to end up happening...

[Columbiadata]

The mayor called a meeting today that leaders from all parts of the region attended today, and they all agreed the bus system must be preserved and strengthened. The leaders included Lexington County Council members. Lexington's mayor has already voiced his support and said how important the buses are for the region.