Summerville-Charleston Express bus gains tractionBy Edward C. Fennell (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, May 16, 2008
Edward C. Fennell Supporters of CARTA Express bus service between Summerville and Charleston wave small signs during a Summerville Town Council meeting Wednesday. Council referred proposed funding for the route to a committee for further study. SUMMERVILLE — A proposal to create a CARTA Express bus route between Summerville and Charleston seems to be refueled. Town Council on Wednesday unanimously agreed to refer the express bus idea to the Planning Committee, and a committee member said Thursday that he thinks council is now fully behind the concept. "We're going to try to get the money. There seems to be a bit of urgency about it now," Councilman Bob Jackson said. The urgency was on display at the council meeting, where Summerville resident Reid Melton spoke, backed by as many as 100 supporters of express bus service. A civil service retiree who has fought to get at least two express routes — one from the Oakbrook area and another from U.S. Highway 78 — Melton told council that hundreds of Summerville residents drive into North Charleston daily to catch express buses to Charleston. Melton showed council data from the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority that puts the cost of the Oakbrook route at $272,141 annually. He asked council to pledge 10 percent — about $27,200 — and put it in writing to CARTA. The pledge alone will permit CARTA to proceed with its plans, he said. CARTA needs local matching funds to qualify for federal grants used to fund the bus service. "We are asking you to kick the ball into CARTA's court," Melton told council. He said Summerville's 10 percent, plus 10 percent from Dorchester County Council, coupled with state Department of Transportation funds and fares paid by express bus riders together will make the Oakbrook route possible. CARTA has purchased used buses for the Oakbrook route and secured a park-and-ride lot. But if the needed matching funds don't come, the buses will be used elsewhere, CARTA Executive Director Howard Chapman has said. Melton said time is running out. "We are desperately trying to save the Oakbrook route," he said. Melton spoke recently to County Council, where his appeal also seems to have made an impact. Council Chairman Larry Hargett has said the county probably can come up with the funding as long it's part of a partnership with Summerville and bus riders. Jackson said Town Council now favors providing its share of the funding and likely will ask the Budget and Finance Committee "to figure out how to pay for it." |
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Comments
This article has 9 comment(s)
Posted by zoomru on May 16, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Edward!! ...talk to TENISHA!
Where were all these fine folks at the the other night?? Why didn't the CARTA person divulge this meeting then? I guess these fine people are ga ga over a rate increase?? Hmm.. This route may be warranted. I'm sure a NEW ..FINE.. Bus stop is in the works some where?
I wonder who owns businesses and property around that area? I wonder if there is any property links in the area to any of the board members, their families, college roommate, or campaign contributors??
I SMELL a hidden agenda!!
I wonder if all these people would be smiling if they new that their county board has done nothing to close LANDFILLS and turn their trash into fuel for BUSES that would serve them???
Posted by zoomru on May 16, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Melton ..I like zest?!!
BUT!
"Melton showed council data from the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority that puts the cost of the Oakbrook route at $272,141 annually. He asked council to pledge 10 percent — about $27,200 — and put it in writing to CARTA. The pledge alone will permit CARTA to proceed with its plans, he said. CARTA needs local matching funds to qualify for federal grants used to fund the bus service."
Grants.. and matching funds? Who are we kidding? WE.. yes.. we need to look in the mirror and see the dollars that are generated in the servicing area? Not basic fares and then looking to the STATE for the rest!!
You mean to tell me, that our local state REPS will have to bend over from someone from the MIDLANDS and PIEDMONT for matching funds? Or worse yet...have SENATORO Grand Master Flash Clyburn and Lindse' Suave' bend over to Senator Robert Byrd again ..just like they are doing for the PEE DEE COAL FIRED Plant?
We are Smarter than this!! Aren't WE?
Posted by ColdBeer on May 16, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Remembers these words... you can disagree, but just remember them...
Where CARTA goes.. crime goes.
I've seen it first hand. Yes, crime is everwhere, but compare the crimes rates in areas served by CARTA to those not served by CARTA and you'll see a marked difference.
Posted by theronce on May 16, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Almost $300,000 or $0.10 from every citizen in the state to haul a relatively few people from Summerville to North Charleston when they are getting there on their own now? I would rather put my dime in my gas tank, thank you.
Posted by jk_newhard on May 16, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ColdBeer: Has the crime rate gone up at the Rivers Ave. KMart? Or in Mt. Pleasant?? No! The people who ride the express buses are too busy getting to work.
I could say more, but what's the use?
Posted by zoomru on May 16, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TROOPS...
Check this news out!
http://www.thestate.com/local
/story/406687.html
CLYBURN ...what are you thinking??
and
http://www.gaffneyledger.com/news
/2008/0514/local_news/007.html
Drawing little interest?? The editors of this state are to blame!! Buddy is gonna CREAM Linse' Suave'!
Posted by ColdBeer on May 16, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jk_newhard, I agree that crime has not gone up around the Super K Mart, but that's an area that CARTA was already serving and that area already has a bad crime problem. I don't know enough about Mt. Pleasant to comment on that one. I'll also agree that MOST of the people riding the express busses are working class people that do not commit crimes. My point is simply this: Let CARTA in your area in the form of Express Bus Service and eventually they will start regular service. Again, bring in CARTA and you will bring in crime. I am not saying that everyone on a bus is a criminal so don't jump on me for that. I am saying the public transportation WILL increase crime in every area that it services. I've seen it happen. I already know that if you support CARTA, you'll never agree with me, and I'm not asking you to agree with me. I'm just asking that you remember... you were warned.
Posted by Slick50 on May 16, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So the consensus is thugs are becoming more mobile through CARTA?
Although I cannot support the "crime" theory, I believe something should be done to eliminate congestion without making taxpayers foot the bill. The purpose of the penny sales tax was to fix roads and ease congestion. Are we throwing more money at a problem that has no solution?
Perhaps some of the tri-counties' largest employers should consider staggering their hours of operation to effect change in existing rush hour traffic patterns.
Posted by svilletruthhurts on May 16, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
it seems like an awful lot of money for 100 riders. and plus we all know town council puts stuff in committee to bury it. well done town council, bury this proposal, it needs to die.