Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Regional Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County approves $400,000 state grant for Greenville express and raises fare to $20 for long-distance service
Summary
CARTS received approval to accept a $400,000 NCDOT concept grant (roughly $274,000 operating, $125,500 bus replacement) for a Greenville express pilot; the board approved changing the fare from $5 to $20 per one-way trip for that service to align with comparable long-distance providers.
CARTS staff presented an NCDOT IMD FY27 concept grant to support a Greenville express project that would begin with three weekly trips and could expand to five days per week. The county was notified that $400,000 in state funding is available, with approximately $274,000 earmarked for operating expenses and $125,500 for a bus replacement.
Staff requested board acceptance of the concept grant, a related budget amendment and a fee change for the Greenville passenger fare from $5 to $20. The presenter told commissioners "Funding in the amount of $400,000 has been approved" and recommended the $20 one-way fare to align with other long-distance services. Commissioners approved accepting the grant, the budget adjustment, and the fare change; the action requires a memorandum of understanding among Craven, Onslow and Carteret counties before multi-county operations begin.
Staff said fares will be collected "to maximize grant funding" and that the grant for the initial year is fully state funded; future availability of similar grants remains under NCDOT review. Commissioners asked about pick-up points, pilot duration and outreach; staff said the plan builds on an existing Downeast Express model with pick-ups at mall locations and possible curbside pickups en route.
