Greenlink to Host Open House April 26

The Greenville Transit Authority (GTA) has finalized the 2020-24 Transit Development Plan (TDP) study of the Greenlink transit system and will hold a drop-in style open house on Thursday, April 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Transit Center (100 West McBee Avenue). The purpose of the open house is to provide an opportunity for Greenville County residents to learn more about the study and view the final recommendations from Connetics Transportation Group, the firm hired by GTA to conduct the study.

The goal of the study is to create a plan to improve the Greenlink network so that it is more useful to residents in Greenville County. The plan identifies potential expansions in fixed route bus service, estimates the cost to implement these expansions, estimates the potential ridership gain that would occur from such expansions, and lists possible funding sources to be explored. Examples of possible improvements include extending evening service, increasing frequency of service, establishing Sunday service, and creating new bus routes to connect unserved areas. While the recommendations will be discussed at the open house, implementation of any changes will require further financial investment.

According to Gary Shepard, Greenlink’s public transportation director, community buy-in and support from the public and private sector are crucial components of implementing any improvements. “After nearly a year of planning, with the Comprehensive Operations Analysis and now the Transit Development Plan, we feel confident that we know what it will take to create a better public transportation system in Greenville County,” said Shepard. “The next step will be determining if these improvements are a priority investment for our community.”