Gas prices are going up.  Yet, most American cities remain heavily invested in and dependent upon the personal automobile as a sole means of transportation.  This kind of failure to invest in diversifying transportation options leads to significant waste in gasoline, household finances, and even travel time as well as unnecessary increases in pollution (which can in turn affect a community's ability to attract new businesses based on tax exemptions allowed for quality air attainment!).  Basically, the "value" of public transportation to a community really adds up - even for those who don't use it!  The following statistics compiled by the American Public Transportation Association demonstrate the kind of savings which can be generated through the development of a strong public transportation system. 

• Access to bus and rail lines reduces driving by 4,400 miles per household annually.
• Americans living in areas served by public transportation save 646 million hours in travel time and 398 million gallons of fuel annually in congestion reduction alone.
• Without public transportation, congestion costs would have been an additional $13.7 billion.
• Public transportation's overall effects save the United States 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually - more than 3 times the amount of gasoline imported from Kuwait.
• Households near public transit drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles than households with no access to public transit. This equates to an individual household reduction of 223 gallons per year.
• Households that use public transportation and live with one less car can save on average $9,000 every year.
• Communities that invest in public transit reduce the nation's carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually - equivalent to New York City; Washington, DC; Atlanta; Denver; and Los Angeles combined stopping using electricity.
• One person switching to public transit can reduce daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year.
• A single commuter switching his or her commute to public transportation can reduce a household's carbon emissions by 10% and up to 30% if he or she eliminates a second car. When compared to other household actions that limit CO2, taking public transportation can be 10 times greater in reducing this harmful greenhouse gas.

The future for public transportation in Greenville County is bright.  Several existing projects are currently under development with several more potentially around the corner.  With so many exciting opportunities ahead and current financial constraints, we have recognized the need for a road map to chart out our marketing efforts.  Greenlink is currently nearing completion of a comprehensive marketing plan that will help to provide focus and direction to the growth of services anticipated over the next five years.  Building off of the Transit Vision and Master Plan, the marketing plan provides a thorough analysis of Greenlink's current operation and environment, including current strengths and weaknesses, challenges and opportunities.  The plan also identifies the primary marketing objectives and target markets to be pursued over the next sixty months.  Some target markets have been identified among current riders for continued and more intentional marketing.  Other target markets have been identified outside our current ridership.  Consistent with both the overall marketing objectives and target markets, specific marketing strategies and tasks are also laid out in the plan giving some concrete direction for future marketing and development efforts.  

Public transportation is about moving people.  Particularly in larger, urban areas, effective public transportation requires multiple modes effectively woven together in a well-integrated system functioning together as a whole.  While this includes buses, it may, and often should, also involve pedestrian, bike and other forms of transportation.  This kind of careful integration between multiple modes of transportation is what is commonly referred to as "multi-modal transportation," a reality Greenlink is working hard to better establish in Greenville County.  Specifically, we have recently administered a bike use survey demonstrating the continued growth of interest in enhanced bike-related facilities and an improved multi-modal transit system in Greenville.  Consistent with this growing demand, we are continuing to invest in improving the integration in Greenville between biking and busing as we aim to become a truly multi-modal transit system. 

To read more about the steps Greenlink is taking to develop a truly multi-modal transportation system, click here.