Greenville outlines transit upgrades: on‑demand pilot, shelters and plan to bring paratransit in‑house
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Summary
City staff reported new transit technology and service changes, including a Great Plus on‑demand pilot launched Feb. 18, ARPA‑funded shelter and bench installations (~$650,000), and plans to assume paratransit operations on July 1 with projected operating and capital costs and federal reimbursements.
City transit staff and the director of engineering briefed the Greenville City Council on Feb. 23 about multiple transit initiatives: technology upgrades, new shelters funded by an ARPA grant, an on‑demand pilot, and plans to bring paratransit operations in‑house.
Kevin Mulligan and Wood Davidson described upgrades including automated stop announcements and AVL that provide ETA information for riders. The council was shown photos of newly installed shelters and told the bus stop program used passenger counts to prioritize placement. Mulligan said the shelter purchases were funded by an ARPA grant of approximately $650,000; city funds covered concrete pads and installation.
Staff reported on an on‑demand pilot branded Great Plus that began Feb. 18 in a North Greenville zone; staff said more than 100 people have signed up in the first week and that riders can book by app or by phone (329‑4532). The pilot will run about six months as staff analyze ridership and evaluate whether vans can replace some fixed‑route buses.
On paratransit, staff said the county has provided the service but will not renew the contract; the city expects to assume operations July 1. Staff projected operating and capital costs, noting the federal reimbursement rates cited in the meeting (80% operating reimbursement, 85% capital reimbursement). Council discussed the required hours (paratransit must mirror fixed‑route service hours), the potential 4 a.m.–6 a.m. gap the city is evaluating, and the planned purchase of ADA lift‑equipped vans with an estimated full unit cost of $110,000 (city share after 85% reimbursement ~$16,500 per van).
Councilors debated benches with raised dividers at the new stops; some expressed concern that the design constituted hostile architecture and reduced shelter effectiveness, while others said the installations are an improvement over previous infrastructure. Staff said bench dividers are removable and that the city will gather public feedback before making design changes.
No final fare decision was made at the meeting; staff said council previously approved returning to a fare system (fixed‑route and on‑demand $1.25 per trip; paratransit up to $2.50 one‑way) and that fare collection was targeted for a mid‑May resumption.
