Greenlink outlines transit improvements, growth strategy to city council
October 12, 2026
Fare Technology, Infrastructure Upgrades and Mobility Initiatives Position Greenlink for the Future.
Greenlink Director James Keel provided Greenville City Council with an update on major initiatives designed to improve accessibility, reliability and rider experience across the transit network. The presentation highlighted progress on Greenlink’s new fare system, long-term service planning efforts, infrastructure investments and future expansion opportunities.
Fare Modernization
Rendering showing future mixed-use development that includes a new downtown Greenlink Transit Center.
Among the most significant changes: the launch of OneFare, Greenlink’s fare modernization program, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The new system is designed to make paying for transit simpler, faster and more equitable for riders by introducing modern fare technology and automatic fare caps.
“Under OneFare, passengers will pay $2 for a one-way trip and receive two free transfers within a two-hour period when using the Umo payment platform,” Keel said. Riders will also benefit from automatic daily, weekly and monthly fare caps to ensure they never pay more than the cost of a pass. The system supports multiple payment options, including OneFare smart cards, the Umo mobile app and contactless payment methods such as debit cards and mobile wallets. Cash payments will continue to be accepted.
To support the transition, Greenlink will distribute free OneFare cards to new customers from Nov. 23 through Jan. 30. The Greenville Transit Authority board received public feedback on the program in September and approved implementation.
Transit Development Plan
Keel also updated council members on Greenlink’s ongoing Transit Development Plan (TDP), a comprehensive effort to guide future system growth. An existing conditions review found that Greenlink serves a highly transit-dependent population, with 76% of surveyed riders reporting no vehicle access and 78% saying they could not make their trip without transit service. Nearly 80% of riders use Greenlink three or more days per week.
The analysis also showed strong ridership on core routes serving Augusta Road and White Horse Road, while identifying opportunities to improve service frequency, reliability and coverage throughout the system. Greenlink has already increased 30-minute service frequencies on additional routes during 2026 as part of its improvement strategy.
Public engagement has played a central role in the planning process. More than 900 people participated during the first phase of outreach, generating more than 600 open comments, while nearly 900 additional participants contributed feedback during the concept testing phase. Greenlink also hosted six public meetings and conducted direct rider engagement at the Transit Center.
The draft Transit Development Plan recommends six coordinated service improvements focused on expanding coverage, increasing frequency and reliability, strengthening network connections and improving access to jobs, health care and other essential destinations. The final plan is scheduled for Greenville Transit Authority Board consideration on Oct. 22.
Bus Stop Improvements
Another major initiative is Greenlink’s Bus Stop Improvement Program, funded in part through a 2022 federal RAISE grant. The program includes approximately $5.8 million in grant funding and, combined with other funding sources, represents a $9.5 million investment in transit stop accessibility and amenities. Greenlink aims to upgrade roughly 80% of its existing bus stops to ADA-compliant standards while adding shelters, benches, lighting, trash receptacles and enhanced passenger information.
Greenlink plans to improve hundreds of stops through a mix of shelter installations, solar-lighted seating areas and traditional bench locations. Construction is expected to begin at dozens of locations this fall. Since 2021, 111 transit stops have already been upgraded across the system.
Future Initiatives
Looking ahead, Greenlink continues to evaluate long-range opportunities that could transform mobility in the region. These initiatives include planning for Bus Rapid Transit corridors, expanding regional connections to communities such as Easley, Greer, Fountain Inn and Pickens County, exploring connected autonomous vehicle technology and launching new services such as SkyConnect, a future airport connection scheduled for launch in 2028.
“As Greenville continues to grow, Greenlink’s focus remains on building a transit network that is safe, reliable and accessible while supporting economic development and connecting residents to essential destinations throughout the community,” Keel said.
Additional future projects under consideration include expansion of trolley services, improvements to the Greenlink Transit Center and ongoing investments in fleet replacement and expansion to support anticipated growth in transit demand across Greenville County.
