Public Transit in Public Transit in the Lowcountry the Lowcountry and the Bus and the Bus Livability GrantLivability Grant

MTAP/SCOPTMTAP/SCOPT

SavannahSavannah

December 7, 2010December 7, 2010

The LowcountryThe Lowcountry

I-95

US 321

SC 17

0SC 4

62

SC 462

US 278

US 17

US 1

7

US 21

SC 802

US 21

US

321

US 60

1SC 68

SC 63

US 17A

US 21 SC

303

SC 64 I-95

SC 1

5

US 17A

SC 64

Smoaks

WilliamsLodge

Walterboro Cottageville

Brunson

Hampton

VarnvilleGifford

Luray

Estill

FurmanScotia Yemassee

Ridgeland Edisto Beach

Beaufort

Port Royal

Hilton Head Island

BeaufortCounty

ColletonCounty

HamptonCounty

US 278

SC 46

US 278

US 17 A

Hardeeville Bluffton

JasperCounty

US 17

US 278

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Cottageville

The Lowcountry R egion

Public Transit HistoryPublic Transit History

Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority (dba Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority (dba PALMETTO BREEZE) the public transit provider in the PALMETTO BREEZE) the public transit provider in the region. region.

PALMETTO BREEZE preceded by Beaufort-Jasper PALMETTO BREEZE preceded by Beaufort-Jasper Regional Transportation Authority, formed in 1978 to Regional Transportation Authority, formed in 1978 to provide transit service in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. provide transit service in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Transit program focused on transporting passengers to Transit program focused on transporting passengers to jobs on Hilton Head Island and points in-between. jobs on Hilton Head Island and points in-between.

In 1984, Authority expanded to include Allendale, In 1984, Authority expanded to include Allendale, Colleton, and Hampton Counties, with service continuing Colleton, and Hampton Counties, with service continuing to focus on transporting residents of more rural areas to to focus on transporting residents of more rural areas to jobs in Beaufort County. To reflect addition of these jobs in Beaufort County. To reflect addition of these counties, Authority’s name was changed to Lowcountry counties, Authority’s name was changed to Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority.Regional Transportation Authority.

Public Transit ProgressPublic Transit Progress

Demand response service initiated in Demand response service initiated in 1997 to serve some Beaufort County 1997 to serve some Beaufort County destinations. Additional service focused destinations. Additional service focused on transporting employees to work was on transporting employees to work was initiated under the Federal Job Access initiated under the Federal Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (JARC) and Reverse Commute Program (JARC) in 2001.in 2001.

Significant growth and operational and Significant growth and operational and financial improvements since 2001. financial improvements since 2001.

Changed ConditionsChanged Conditions

More/larger housing subdivisions add to More/larger housing subdivisions add to congestion; increased densities make public congestion; increased densities make public transit more feasible.transit more feasible.

Changing population—older, different ethnic Changing population—older, different ethnic mix, newcomers from cities with transit—mix, newcomers from cities with transit—creates opportunities.creates opportunities.

Increased number of “choice” riders with Increased number of “choice” riders with transportation options (including visitors).transportation options (including visitors).

Increased number/size of commercial and Increased number/size of commercial and medical centers provide transit hubs.medical centers provide transit hubs.

Bus Livability Grant: The Bus Livability Grant: The GoalGoal

““This project is designed to accomplish the This project is designed to accomplish the transformation of northern Beaufort transformation of northern Beaufort

County from an area dominated by a County from an area dominated by a single mode of transportation to one that single mode of transportation to one that

offers transportation choices that are offers transportation choices that are accessible to all residents.”accessible to all residents.”

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) award announcement Federal Transit Administration (FTA) award announcement in Federal Registerin Federal Register

Three-Component SystemThree-Component System

Public transit service to link northern Beaufort County Public transit service to link northern Beaufort County residents to major employers, shopping areas, and residents to major employers, shopping areas, and services.services.

Construction of first phase of multiuse trail on the right-Construction of first phase of multiuse trail on the right-of-way of the former 25-mile Port Royal to Yemassee of-way of the former 25-mile Port Royal to Yemassee Railroad.Railroad.

Construction, repair, and reconfiguration of sidewalks Construction, repair, and reconfiguration of sidewalks and multiuse pathways to promote safe network and multiuse pathways to promote safe network continuity by connecting multiuse trail and transit continuity by connecting multiuse trail and transit routes to major employers, commercial districts, routes to major employers, commercial districts, schools, and residential areas.schools, and residential areas.

BudgetBudget

Total amount awarded - $3.1 millionTotal amount awarded - $3.1 million

Original grant request - $24.7 millionOriginal grant request - $24.7 million

Original BudgetOriginal Budget

Original BudgetOriginal Budget

Priority PhasingPriority Phasing

First task of multi-agency Northern First task of multi-agency Northern Beaufort County Multi-Modal Beaufort County Multi-Modal Transportation Network Task Force has Transportation Network Task Force has been which transit routes and trail been which transit routes and trail segment should be implemented first.segment should be implemented first.

Task Force’s objective is “The biggest Task Force’s objective is “The biggest bang for the buck,” or making sure that bang for the buck,” or making sure that the first phase is successful so that the the first phase is successful so that the rest of the project can be implemented. rest of the project can be implemented.

New BudgetNew Budget

New BudgetNew Budget

Operating Funds Operating Funds FeaturesFeatures

Large military (6400 active duty military and 1000 Large military (6400 active duty military and 1000 federal civil servants in northern Beaufort) market federal civil servants in northern Beaufort) market segment eligible for Transportation Incentive Program segment eligible for Transportation Incentive Program (TIP)--provides up to $230 a month to take public (TIP)--provides up to $230 a month to take public transit. transit.

Beaufort area tourism industry proposing a sort of Beaufort area tourism industry proposing a sort of “subsidy” in possible form of pre-purchase of passes or “subsidy” in possible form of pre-purchase of passes or tickets for guests of hotels and restaurants. tickets for guests of hotels and restaurants.

All other riders will pay fares averaging approximately All other riders will pay fares averaging approximately $2.00 to $3.00 per trip. System will also be eligible for $2.00 to $3.00 per trip. System will also be eligible for funding from programs such as Non-Urbanized Area funding from programs such as Non-Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5311), Job Access and Formula Program (Section 5311), Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (Section 5316), and the Reverse Commute Program (Section 5316), and the New Freedom Program (Section 5317).New Freedom Program (Section 5317).

Results from USCB Results from USCB SurveySurvey

90% of County residents would use public transit90% of County residents would use public transit

78% of County residents indicate there is a need for 78% of County residents indicate there is a need for

public transitpublic transit

Almost 93% of non-Beaufort County respondents were Almost 93% of non-Beaufort County respondents were

visitors or potential visitors to Beaufortvisitors or potential visitors to Beaufort

Almost 80% of those that did visit the Beaufort area Almost 80% of those that did visit the Beaufort area

would use public transitwould use public transit

Partners (1)Partners (1)The Task Force.The Task Force. Beaufort CountyBeaufort County Lowcountry Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) Lowcountry Regional Transit Authority (LRTA)

d.b.a. Palmetto Breezed.b.a. Palmetto Breeze Beaufort Jasper Water Sewer Authority (BJWSA)Beaufort Jasper Water Sewer Authority (BJWSA) The City of Beaufort and the Town of Port RoyalThe City of Beaufort and the Town of Port Royal Lowcountry Council of Governments (LCOG)Lowcountry Council of Governments (LCOG) Tri-Command (Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Tri-Command (Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort,

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Beaufort Naval Hospital) Beaufort Naval Hospital)

Partners (2)Partners (2)Community SupportersCommunity Supporters

CollegesCollegesTechnical College of the LowcountryTechnical College of the LowcountryUniversity of South Carolina, BeaufortUniversity of South Carolina, Beaufort

Health/Social ServicesHealth/Social ServicesBeaufort County Disabilities and Special NeedsBeaufort County Disabilities and Special NeedsBeaufort County Alliance for Human ServicesBeaufort County Alliance for Human ServicesABLE The Disabilities Foundation of Beaufort CountyABLE The Disabilities Foundation of Beaufort CountyBJH Comprehensive Health ServicesBJH Comprehensive Health ServicesBeaufort Memorial HospitalBeaufort Memorial Hospital

Non-ProfitsNon-ProfitsPathways ConnectPathways ConnectGreater Bluffton PathwaysGreater Bluffton PathwaysBeaufort Chamber of CommerceBeaufort Chamber of CommerceCoastal Conservation LeagueCoastal Conservation League

Local BusinessesLocal BusinessesBundy Appraisal & Management, Inc.Bundy Appraisal & Management, Inc.Quality InnQuality InnRibaut Holdings, LLCRibaut Holdings, LLCThe Beaufort InnThe Beaufort InnBeaufort Town CenterBeaufort Town Center