Greenville Transit System (GTS) saw an incredible increase in ridership from 2009 to 2010. GTS completed a total of 34,307 trips in 2009. That number increased to 42,235 in 2010. That amounts to a 23% increase in ridership in a single year! January 2011 continues the growth trend with a 17% increase in total ridership over the same period in 2010. This was with no increase in service hours.
GTS Director, Pamela Garland believes part of the growth is due to good management and an efficient service. MV Transportation, Inc took over the day-to-day operations and management in January 2010. MV stresses customer service and safety. Under the leadership of Kathy Cool, General Manager for MV Transportation - Greenville division, GTS is able to offer affordable, efficient and safe transportation for Greenville residents.
Residents of Greenville are becoming more aware a public transportation service is available to them and their families 7 days a week. GTS runs much like a taxi service at an affordable cost. GTS offers transportation for wheelchairs and scooters.
Within city limits: The rate for a one way trip is $3.00 to the general public and $1.50 for those over the age of 65 or with a documented disability. GTS does take reservations and encourages riders to book in advance. Drivers do not accept large bills.
GTS also goes to selected Dayton / Piqua locations and services 5 miles outside the City of Greenville. Call GTS for hours, information or to book your ride at 937-547-1811.
GTS is funded in part by FTA, ODOT and the City of Greenville. GTS is open to the public.
Perfect place to start the spending cuts. This is not a required service and taxpayer money should not be spent on this. If it's not self-sustaining then get rid of it.
ReplyDeleteSensibleCuts - The state has been cutting financing for the past 10 years with transit. The county is mandated by the government to provide transportation to certain clients. At least the city chooses to contract the service to the lowest bidder, a private company, versus running it themselves and increasing the size of government, having unions, etc. By contracting, the drivers & dispatchers are paid barely above minimum wage. Luckily, we have great drivers who are mostly retired and don't work just for the money.
ReplyDeleteI too am for smaller government. Until the government does away with mandates, it is the lesser of the evils. If there was no GTS, you'd have private companies charging the government extraordinary fees.
By having public transit in our area, elderly or disabled residents who are unsafe to drive or have no other means of transportation, have an option to keep their quality of life. Also, we do the rideshare, saving resourses and getting more cars off the road. We also provide rides to work and medical appointments as well as to LOCAL businesses where taxes are paid. I respect your opinion and understand where you are coming from, and also hope you will consider my opinion with an open mind. At least GTS benefits our local residents and returns some of their hard earned tax dollars to our own community. And at the same time, makes living and retiring in Greenville better.
Pam,
ReplyDeleteI understand your need to meet the mandates. I simply think that the mandates should be removed. Years ago this service was taken care of by friends, relatives and neighbors. This is not a service like Fire, Rescue or Police. So I say again that this is the type of program that should not be mandated nor funded with public money. Too many people want to cut the budget with an axe on more important programs yet only want the cuts if they affect someone else.
I appreciate your service and dedication. If we are truly in a financial crisis, which I believe, then I simply point out one program that I believe should be phased out. Along with many more.
Most of all there should never be unfunded mandates. They cause more harm to the budgets than anything.