501 replies to this topic

[krazeeboi]

Well this isn't good: an unexpectedly huge $3 million budget shortfall for the Columbia area’s bus system is likely to cut the number of routes in half and cost as many as 40 jobs in the company that operates the buses, transit officials disclosed Wednesday. Since the defeat of the proposed penny sales tax increase referendum last fall to fund the bus system, Columbia and Richland County councils have approved $5.4 million in dedicated funding. The city adopted a 2 percentage point increase in a fee that residents pay for having electric service. That fee is to raise $3.7 million annually. The county agreed to continue using a per-vehicle fee to contribute $1.7 million — but only a year at a time. Lexington County is haggling with the CMRTA over continuing its $100,000 contribution. But that’s not enough according to transit board members.

Some of the deficit comes from unexpectedly high fuel costs that skyrocketed gasoline prices to $4 per gallon just a few weeks ago. Earlier this spring, the board said it would need as much as $618,000 to offset that expense. That cost was reduced to a projected $443,236 for July, August and September, when the board’s fiscal year ends. Even as gas prices begin to slide, the CMRTA is calculating it will need $13.1 million in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Its income will fall $2,717,201 short, according to the figures released Wednesday.

[growingup15]

Well just got back from the Transportation meeting. And it was great. new plans on The buses and stuff but i did not know we was in the hole. We are i think 3 million dollars in the hole. Thats bad. the CMRTA really needs to work on getting funding better funding for the buses and future transit.

Edited by growingup15, 16 June 2011 - 10:29 AM.

[Spartan]

Columbia will never have quality transit service until they get a dedicated/permanent funding source for it.

[growingup15]

Spartan, on 16 June 2011 - 11:11 AM, said:

Columbia will never have quality transit service until they get a dedicated/permanent funding source for it.

And they we're talking about that at the meeting also. that includes permanent funding. and they was talking about more business contributing to funding the system and advertising and also they are bring back the penny sales tax in 2012. and other things. and they are about to run a Pilot soon on a LUNCH Route. that runs from the Convention center-Vista- Five Points- Main st. back around again. 10 minute wait each stop. It will be 2 buses that cycles around. in a Rapid sequence.

[johnpro318]

That's interesting about the LUNCH route because it sounds like it would actually be useful and a lot of people would use it.

How do other cities find permanent funding for their transit (bus) systems? Are their any cities that have had similar issues with funding but now are on top?

[growingup15]

If not mistaken and please correct me if im wrong but Lexington County Didn't want to Support the CMRTA because there excuse was they are not going to support something that's going to fail. Lexington County and i bet a lot of people would ride again since the traffic problem in Lexington is getting worst. Think about it.

[gamecoxfan1]

Correct. They don't support it becuase it is a corrupt bus system that seems has yet to be fixed. They don't want to fund what people will not use currently. If there was a great plan that would be a benefit to people in Lexington, they would probably support it. But when the CMRTA is constancy asking for money and is not being used by the large majority of people, it is not worth the hassle they would have. Some people in Lexington may ride but the image that the CMRTA has brought upon itself turns away people not just in Lexington but in the entire Midlands area.

[growingup15]

gamecoxfan1, on 20 July 2011 - 12:22 PM, said:

Correct. They don't support it becuase it is a corrupt bus system that seems has yet to be fixed. They don't want to fund what people will not use currently. If there was a great plan that would be a benefit to people in Lexington, they would probably support it. But when the CMRTA is constancy asking for money and is not being used by the large majority of people, it is not worth the hassle they would have. Some people in Lexington may ride but the image that the CMRTA has brought upon itself turns away people not just in Lexington but in the entire Midlands area.

How about Lexington county just create there own Bus system if they think it benefits there citizens.  What you think.

[gamecoxfan1]

growingup15, on 20 July 2011 - 01:24 PM, said:

How about Lexington county just create there own Bus system if they think it benefits there citizens.  What you think.

With the CMRTA it gives people transportation that would otherwise not have a way to get to work and to other places. In Lexington County, there are few people that use the system for that reason. They would not create a bus service becuase the need is not there to a point that they need to start and fund a new system. Now, if people were complaining they wanted a cheaper way to get around, the traffic is to a point they never go out, and they don't own or want to own a car at a large amount, they may help with the CMRTA's problems. Then again, they may not do anything and just wait for Columbia to do almost everything and honestly, I would not blame them til a certain time.

[growingup15]

_{CMRTA makes cuts to stay afloat for another year}
The Columbia Regional Transit Authority did some budget trimming, and came up with enough to keep the struggling bus system running for another full year.

A committee managed to cut 600-thousand dollars from the next budget. Part of the cuts came from lowering the salary for the new director from $125,000 to $100,000 a year.

Right now it's just a recommendation. The budget committee will have to sign off on this plan next month.

[growingup15]

Once again, the Midlands bus system enters a new year with crippling budget problems on the horizon.

The new chairman of the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority said he’s prepared to ask Columbia City Council and Richland County Council for $2.5 million, or move forward with severe cuts in hours of service as early as February.

Read more: http://www.thestate....h#ixzz1gldJyPAT

[krazeeboi]

The metropolitan bus system is to be cut and persistent deficits would disappear under a new plan reached among local leaders.
To be announced Tuesday, the plan would eliminate Sunday and under-used routes, combine others, but preserve the midday and Saturday service that have been on the chopping block, according to several sources who spoke only on the condition of anonymity.

[CorgiMatt]

I don't like the idea of completely eliminating Sunday service.  I emailed the mayor and my council reps to say so.

[growingup15]

CorgiMatt, on 09 April 2012 - 07:19 PM, said:

I don't like the idea of completely eliminating Sunday service.  I emailed the mayor and my council reps to say so.

I don't like that either but i think this will be good for the system.

[growingup15]

Board members, city and county leaders are hoping a new plan announced Tuesday will help erase a $3.6 million deficit at the Central Midlands Regional Transportation Authority.
After months of meetings and talking with riders, the CMRTA says the Balanced Budget Service Implementation Plan will allow the authority to "achieve financial stability based on our current committed resources while also giving riders dependable core service," according to a press release.

According to CMRTA Executive Director Dr. Robert Schneider, one of the ways they plan to erase the deficit is by saving $500,000 a year by eliminating and consolidating routes. Routes 36A and 36B,  Route 35 from Columbia Mall to Sandhills, and Route 15B will be eliminated. Routes 3, 8, 11, and 12 will be consolidated. All of the cuts will be effective, pending approval by the CMRTA, May 14.

The authority has launched at $3.50 All Day pass for all riders with hopes that it will bring more riders.

Authorities say they are also exploring smaller and greener vehicles.

Edited by growingup15, 10 April 2012 - 04:17 PM.

[growingup15]

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority bus service changes, cuts and consolidations began today.

"We are discontinuing our Sunday service," said Executive Director of the CMRTA, Bob Schneider. "We're discontinuing six of our thirteen routes on Saturdays. We're discontinuing service after 7:30 pm. It's a very very difficult period for a lot of our customers."

These changes come from the need to cut $3.6 million from the CMRTA deficit. Schneider says tough decisions had to be made in order to save the bus system and balance the budget for the rest of the fiscal year.

As a result of the cuts thirty-six employees are losing their jobs at CMRTA.

For the complete list of bus changes Click Here

[johnpro318]

growingup15, on 14 May 2012 - 08:55 AM, said:

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority bus service changes, cuts and consolidations began today.

"We are discontinuing our Sunday service," said Executive Director of the CMRTA, Bob Schneider. "We're discontinuing six of our thirteen routes on Saturdays. We're discontinuing service after 7:30 pm. It's a very very difficult period for a lot of our customers."

These changes come from the need to cut $3.6 million from the CMRTA deficit. Schneider says tough decisions had to be made in order to save the bus system and balance the budget for the rest of the fiscal year.

As a result of the cuts thirty-six employees are losing their jobs at CMRTA.

For the complete list of bus changes Click Here

This is going backwards in so many ways.

[CorgiMatt]

johnpro318, on 14 May 2012 - 09:52 AM, said:

This is going backwards in so many ways.

The only way I can think of that it's going forward is that more people might opt to live in the city for public tranportation.

[growingup15]

CorgiMatt, on 14 May 2012 - 11:37 AM, said:

The only way I can think of that it's going forward is that more people might opt to live in the city for public tranportation.

I can see this going forward for a short period of time.

I think a great solution is to offer from 10 Minute lunch routes like they said they was going to do in the first place to test it out for a bit. offer more WiFi for people on the buses and Also join together USC buses more and Bring at least 1 new bus to Lexington County. in areas people would need a ride.

[johnpro318]

CorgiMatt, on 14 May 2012 - 11:37 AM, said:

The only way I can think of that it's going forward is that more people might opt to live in the city for public tranportation.

I don't live in Columbia anymore but something I would really use would be a "trolley" like downtown Greenville has. It could go from the Vista to Main Street to Five Points and back around. Even a shorter route in the Vista would be great (Columbia is spread out!). Of course it would have to be free to be used a lot but it would do wonders for development. Transit will always be a loss leader in my opinion and they really screwed the pooch when they let SCENG off the hook from running the bus systems (of course they didn't run them that well either). Oh well.