Staff Writer

EASLEY - An Easley public transit system is the "next logical

step" for the city as it continues to grow, according to Frank Curti

who conducted the city's transit study.

Curti presented his findings and recommendations to City

Council Monday night just prior to the scheduled council

meeting.

After extensive research, including many public transit

meetings, Curti concluded that the City of Easley has a definite

need for a transit system.

In his study, Curti recommend that the city oversee its own

transit system, rather than link up with Clemson Area Transit or

the Greenville Transit Authority.

Curti had explored linking with Clemson Area Transit, as the

city of Seneca pays to do at an annual cost of $550,000 for two

routes.

Linking up with CAT would be cost prohibitive, Curti said in

an earlier meeting, and Monday night he recommended against

that option.

If city officials decided to proceed with a transit system, they

will need to find a way to fund that system.

"There are two types of expenses in transit: operating and

capital expenses," Curti said.

The city of Easley is not eligible for much federal funding for

transit, Curti said.

"Unfortunately, the feds aren't going to help you much with

your operating costs but the state will," Curti said.

Federal funding comes into play with the system's capital

expenses, Curti said.

Federal funding will contribute up to 80 percent of a

system's capital expenses, Curti said.

"Gasoline's the hardest thing to budget for," Curti said. "Who

knows what it will be tomorrow, much less two or three years

from now?"

Officials don't need to worry about the buses themselves for

now, Curti said.

"A lot of people think if you're going to have transit, you've

got to buy the vehicles tomorrow," Curti said. "That's one of the

last things you do."

Curti recommended a four-route system introduced in two

phases.

Routes 1 and 2, with stops including Wal-Mart, downtown,

the post office, hospital, City Hall and the J.B. 'Red' Owens

Recreation Complex, would be offered initially, according to

Curti's findings.

Routes 3 and 4 would be added in at the start of the system's

third year, the study said. Stops on those routes would include

the Saco Lowell site, the library, Rock Springs Baptist Church and

several apartment complexes.

The transit study recommends a fare system of $1 per ride,

$0.50 for seniors, children age 6-17 and those with disabilities.

Children under 5 would ride free.

In addition to creating the system itself, officials must

constantly ensure that the system is providing the best service,

Curti said.

"You have to make sure it's working efficiently; it's working

effectively," Curti said. "You've got to monitor it."

An effective monitoring and feedback system could lead to

more federal funding for Easley transit, he said.

"That's what they care about, the public's need," Curti said.

"The federal government wants to see that feedback. They'll be

more than happy to give you money as long as you're meeting

that need."

Local funding is crucial in creating transit, Curti said.

"Find out how you're going to pay for this up front," Curti

said. "Look at the communities around you and you'll find out

where the pitfalls are."

He suggested partnering with business and industry to make

transit happen.

Seneca partners with Oconee Memorial Hospital to assist with

transit funding.

"They're providing $50,000 a year," Curti said. "(Hospital

officials) see it as a need."

An Adopt-a-Shelter program could partner with local

businesses to offset the cost of shelter construction and

maintenance, the study stated.

Currently every county in the state, with few exceptions, has

some kind of transit system within that county, Curti said.

Councilman Dave Watson asked if other cities saw an

increase in new businesses and jobs after starting a transit

system.

"What is the return for our citizens?" Watson asked.

Transit isn't a make or break deal for those interested in

moving to the community, Curti said.

"But it helps a lot," he said. "It's one of the first questions

business owners ask. People want to know."

Transit does bring with it an economic impact, Curti said.

"For every dollar spent on transit, you gain $5-8 back into the

economy," Curti said. "A lot of that comes from local investment

and salaries, contracts with local vendors. It also brings more

consumers to stores, with more money to spend."

The study also recommended sidewalk upgrades and the

creation of a downtown bus transfer station.



Reach Jason Evans at jevans@theeasleyprogress.com or 855-

0355.