Bussin' - The Greenville Transit Podcast Greenville Connects

In this season finale, we stitch together the voices of riders, planners, and advocates to paint a vivid picture of Greenville's transit future. Joined by Nathaniel DeSantis, our podcast producer, we explore why transit isn't just a convenience - it's a necessity.
We dive into the numbers that spell out Greenville's rapid growth and what it means for our roads, our commutes, and our quality of life. We also debunk the myth that more lanes equal less traffic and discuss smarter, more sustainable alternatives. Learn how you can be part of the change and why the clock is ticking faster than you think. Don't miss this crucial conversation that sets the stage for Greenville's next two decades. Join the movement at GreenvilleConnects.org and let's build a transit system that truly serves us all.
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Bussin' is a project of Greenville Connects.

This week, we're taking you behind the scenes of Greenlink's ambitious transit development plans. We sit down with Kayleigh Cleek, the Transit Planning Manager, to discuss everything from the $6 million grant to route expansions and upcoming facilities. Curious about how the updates will impact you as a rider or concerned citizen? We'll tell you exactly what's coming down the road in the next 12 months, including their push for ADA-compliant bus stops and a transition to a more eco-friendly fleet.
In addition to route and fleet changes, Greenlink is going the extra mile by integrating community rooms, green spaces, and trails in their upcoming maintenance facility. Learn how you can have a say in the planning process and what these changes mean for your daily commute. This episode is your ticket to understanding how Greenlink is driving change in public transit.
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Bussin' is a project of Greenville Connects.

Join us as we speak with James Keel, the Director of Greenlink, to explore the future of public transit in Greenville County. We discuss the Transit Development Plan (TDP) as we envision an ideal system with accessible, frequent, and intuitive service. It's not just about dreams; we also tackle the harsh realities of transit planning, driver recruitment, and the urgent need for funding to make it happen. By comparing how other cities fund their transit systems, we identify how our current funding model lacks in effectively supporting the service we need.
This episode provides an in-depth look at a system poised for growth, but in need of immediate action. Whether you're a daily rider or new to the world of public transit, this conversation is an eye-opener about the complexities, challenges, and opportunities that could redefine transportation in Greenville.
Join us next week, as the exploration continues with insights from Greenlink's Transit Planning Manager, Kayleigh Cleek.
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Bussin' is a project of Greenville Connects.

Tune in as Greenlink riders speak candidly about what a 30-minute bus frequency would mean for them and the community. Hear Tracy's reflections on the past and present, DeShawn's thoughts on efficiency and environmental benefits, and discover how public transportation affects even those who usually drive. Join us in exploring the human side of public transit and how a simple change in frequency could impact lives, improve accessibility, and bring the community together. Together, we can reshape our city's transit landscape. Visit GreenvilleConnects.org to join our newsletter. In our newsletter, you’ll learn more about Greenville transit and discover how you can contribute to our cause.
Resources:
Greenville Connects
www.greenvilleconnects.org 
LSE - Suburban Sprawl Costs Americans $1 Trillion / year
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2015/06/01/urban-sprawl-costs-the-american-economy-more-than-1-trillion-annually-smart-growth-policies-may-be-the-answer/ 
Transit Alternatives to Cars
https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2020/1/7/does-building-transit-reduce-traffic-congestion#:~:text=The%20More%20Complicated%20Answer%3A%20Sometimes,how%20bad%20congestion%20can%20get. 
Greenlink Fares
https://www.greenvillesc.gov/595/Passes-Fares
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Bussin' is a project of Greenville Connects.

Sharing insights from Brenda, Louise, and other riders, we explore the intertwining threads of affordable housing and transit access in Greenville. Our first guest, Brenda, elaborates on her personal struggles with bus schedules and stop placements. Next, we listen to the tale of a rider who had to relocate due to the lack of bus service, demonstrating the urgent need for Transit-Oriented Developments. Finally, we hear Louise's struggle with a fragmented transit network, adding weight to our call for more frequent and wider-reaching service. This episode is a profound reminder that an effective transit system is not just a convenience—it's a lifeline that can dramatically improve quality of life. In sharing these real-life experiences, we aim to foster community support for more buses, more routes, and more frequency. Let's build a better Greenville together. Visit GreenvilleConnects.org to join our newsletter. In our newsletter, you’ll learn more about Greenville transit and discover how you can contribute to our cause.
Resources:
Reducing Poverty + Long Term Positive Effects of Various Supports
https://www.cbpp.org/research/various-supports-for-low-income-families-reduce-poverty-and-have-long-term-positive 
Transit-Adjacent Homes See Increase in Desirability
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/property-values-thrive-near-transit-study-finds/564982/ 
HUD: Transit Oriented Developments
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-trending-051722.html 
Greenville Connects Economic Impact
https://greenvilleconnects.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/002-SC-2023-GreenvilleConnects-EconImpRprtV3-press.pdf 
Greenlink Expansion Plan 2021 Update
https://www.greenvillesc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18857/2021-Transit-Development-Plan-Update-PDF 
Traveler’s Rest Bus Route Map
https://www.greenvillesc.gov/1200/Schedules-and-Routes
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Bussin' is a project of Greenville Connects.

Today we chat with Sandy, Equan, and Eddie - everyday people whose lives are interwoven with the pulse of public transit. We explore their experiences, from the conveniences of being steps away from a bus stop, to the need for more frequent routes and the dream of a 24-hour transit system.
Tune in to hear how Sandy makes her way home with heavy groceries, how Equan desires the convenience of closer bus stops, and why Eddie, a seasoned sous chef, yearns for transit access seven days a week. We discuss how neighborhood designs can influence transit effectiveness and share news about a potential transportation hub at the airport. Plus, we look at the bigger picture - how expanding transit isn't just about transportation, it's about improving quality of life for riders and their communities.
Join us next week as we continue to bring you more conversations from the road. But before then, we need your help to drive change in public transit. Hop on over to our website, GreenvilleConnects.org, to sign up for our monthly newsletter and find out how you can contribute. Together, we can get more buses, going more places, more often. Let's get moving!
Resources:
Michigan Journal for Sustainability
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mjs/12333712.0005.104?view=text;rgn=main 
National Library for Medicine - Aging-In Place
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7793713/ 
Greenville Airport Discussion
https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/100k-scdot-grant-to-determine-whether-gsp-airport-upstate-public-transit-hub-greenville-spartanburg/70251592007/ 
Bus Shelter Safety
https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/ped_transit/ped_transguide/transit_guide.pdf 
Bus Shelter Costs
https://pedestrianobservations.com/2019/04/12/little-things-that-matter-bus-shelter/ 
Cost of Suburban Sprawl - https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2015/06/01/urban-sprawl-costs-the-american-economy-more-than-1-trillion-annually-smart-growth-policies-may-be-the-answer/
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Bussin' is a project of Greenville Connects.