Greenville seeks federal 5307 transit funds to expand on-demand service, replace buses and install shelters

The Greenville City Council on Sept. 11 held a public hearing and adopted a resolution authorizing the city to apply for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 funds to support local transit operations and capital needs.

Kevin Mulligan, Greenville’s director of public works, described how the Section 5307 funds would be used for operating assistance, paratransit (ADA) services, preventive maintenance, rolling stock replacement and other capital needs. Mulligan said the total amount available to the city this cycle was “$2,470,000,” and later told the council the resolution before them would allow the city to apply for a $535,307 grant allocation (both figures were stated in the presentation). He explained the city also receives state Maintenance Assistance Program (SMAP) funds (noted as $475,000) that reduce the local share.

Mulligan outlined near-term projects the grant would support: launch of an on‑demand service (he said a soft rollout was planned for mid‑October using 15‑passenger vans and mini‑vans already branded), purchase of one new bus in the fiscal year, and installation of bus shelters and benches funded with ARPA funds with first deliveries expected Nov. 15 and subsequent monthly truckloads. He said preventive maintenance was budgeted at about $625,000 and rolling stock at about $660,000; ADA/paratransit funding was roughly $400,000–$500,000 and operating funds were around $1.1 million (Mulligan presented these figures during the hearing).

Council members asked about how the federal allocation is determined (Mulligan said it is based on population, miles and passenger trips), whether the city would add staff for expanded hours (Mulligan said current staff would cover most of the pilot but additional FTEs may be needed if the program expands beyond pilot), and the timeline for shelters (Mulligan said concrete pads begin in October, first truck expected Nov. 15, with the first truck’s shelters likely installed within two months after arrival and subsequent truckloads following). He said the plan is for benches at 100% of stops and roughly 32 shelters (about 25% of stops) that meet a threshold (6 or more boardings per day at a stop) identified through automatic passenger counts.

Mulligan also described service changes: expanded operating hours (beginning at 6 a.m. and operating to 8 p.m. on weekdays, with Saturday service restored) and an initial on‑demand pilot for the North‑of‑the‑River area that will replace a fixed route on a trial basis. For the pilot, fixed route service and on‑demand vans will run concurrently for a month then transition to two on‑demand vans while removing the bus. Mulligan said the city hopes ridership and operational improvements will permit further rollout.

After public hearing procedures and staff answers, councilmember Foreman moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried 5-0. Mulligan asked council to authorize staff to file and execute the application for the federal funds. The council approved the requested resolution.

Because the presentation included multiple figures, staff flagged the allocation figures during the hearing (the presentation referenced both a total available figure of $2,470,000 and a grant amount of $535,307); the council resolution authorizes filing for the federal grant allocation as presented.