Columbia Transit system is broke, buses about to be cut

Bus System to be cut seventy-five percent in 2011, with possibility of going out of business in 2012.

By: Keith H. Seymour

The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA) recently announced that following the failed referendum to pass a penny sales tax in Richland County to repair roads, and support the transit system, that bus services will likely be cut no less than seventy-five percent. This will include the Dial A Ride Transit (DART) service for the disabled. According to Joyce Dickerson CMRTA chairperson, and Richland County Councilperson, the DART services, which travel three-quarters of a mile further than the regular buses, may only legally run at the same time the regular buses are in operation. This means that if the cuts take place on April 1, 2011, the DART system will only be available to the disabled between 5 a.m. until 10 a.m., and 2 p.m. until 7 p.m., with total elimination of weekend service. Up until this time the bus system has been supported the ten dollar additional automobile property tax that was adopted in 2006 that will cease to exist as of June 2011. As well as a one time federal grant received by the CMRTA in March.

CMRTA board members and others in favor of the penny sales tax pointed out the rise in unemployment and the inability to attract business that occurred within the the Charleston area, when they voted the same way, a few years back. Many of those opposing the penny sales tax were business people in the “Five Points,” and Vista” area, and CMRTA board member Tommy Windsor, who opposed it on the grounds that it would hurt business. However, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce came out in favor of the penny sales tax, stating that if the bus system was cut, fewer people would be working, which would in turn mean that businesses would be making less money. Among those losing jobs, if the cuts take place on April 1, 2011, will be transit employees. Specifically, forty bus drivers, twelve DART bus drivers, four mechanics, and ten supervisors and staff members. If these take place, they will only allow the buses to run until September 30, 2011.

According to CMRTA board member, Frannie Heizer, who gave the budget briefing during the executive board meeting that took place prior to the regular public meeting, the firing of the sixty-six transit employees would by itself, be a gross loss of 2.2 million dollars to the community. “This is what those people who voted against the penny tax have done to this community. I just hope they can sleep at night,” said Dickerson who has since become a a very vocal supporter of the sales tax, since her and Richland County Council's 2008 vote to disallow a referendum on the penny sales tax.

According to South Carolina State Law the penny sales tax may only be included on a referendum during a general election year. However, even if a penny tax referendum passed in 2012, the money would not be likely allocated to CMRTA, until early 2013, and the CMRTA and its member municipalities would need to find the money to fill that unfunded period of time. On the other hand, if a 2012 referendum fails, the bus system will without a doubt dissolve, due to lack of funding.

On December 20^th, Richland County Council, the City of Columbia, and the CMRTA will be holding a public meeting at the Richland County Public Main Library, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting will be to public input, before voting on the proposed changes in late January 2011. Meanwhile the CMRTA is finding ways to raise money to avoid the cuts. Among the ways that this is being done are the sale or leasing of land on River Drive, selling the eight additional buses and trolleys owned by the CMRTA, and possibly applying to the secretary of state for non-profit status, so that the CMRTA may raise funds through grants and donations. Also, beginning January 1, 2010, all bus riders will be required to pay an additional seventy-five cents for each transfer, the five CMRTA administrative employees will be furloughed for one day a month, for the state amount maximum of ten months, and off duty City of Columbia Police officers will no longer be used in addition to t he regular security guards at the transit station, where recently released prisoners are dropped off.

Transit board member needs to be ousted!!!

Comments to CMRTA concerning board members comments opposing support of bus system

By: Keith H. Seymour


For those of you who do not know me, my name is Keith Seymour, and I am a bus rider, and I have also been a car driver, and maybe a driver at some point again. However this meeting is not about me, but about what is best for this community, and how the importance of a viable transit system. In that vain, I will make my comments short, but they will not be sweet!

The CMRTA board has worked too long and too hard over the past several years to sustain and improve the bus system, including but not limited to the CMRTA and others finally convincing Richland County Council to agree to put this penny sales tax on a referendum. Now during this time, I have been both one of the CMRTA's biggest critics and biggest defenders, depending on my feelings concerning those efforts.

I also wish it to be noted that I have always thought well of Mr. Tommy Windsor in regards to my dealings with him at transit meetings, and as a result of his association with at the former Epilepsy Foundation of South Carolina. Therefore, I have nothing personal against him.

However, I absolutely refuse to keep quiet about what I see as comments that have the potential to dangerously perpetuate an attitude that will lead to the economic destruction of both the bus system and the City of Columbia.

In my opinion, CMRTA board member. Windsor's comments to the press and public, opposing the passage of this referendum, are potentially detrimental not only to the well-being of bus riders, but to the growth of this community. At the very least he has presented an image problem concerning the CMRTA's sincere advocacy on behalf bus riders and drivers, as well as negating how this penny sales tax has the very real potential to benefit the economic growth of individuals and businesses within our community, in the long run.

The bottom line is that I feel the best course of action, is for the City of Columbia, who appointed Mr. Windsor to the CMRTA, to relieve him of status on this board, and replace him with someone who will actively work to help this bus system and this community grow.

Thank you for hearing me out on this matter. I sincerely hope my advice is heeded.

Keith H. Seymour is a thirty-three year resident of Columbia, a local community advocate, writer, and media consultant, and bus re may be reached at 803-960-8785 or at keithhseymour@bellsouth.net.