Accepting Public Input on Plan for Staffing Shortages

Greenlink needs 37 bus drivers to operate its scheduled weekday service from 5:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. 
 
If staffing drops below 29 drivers, Greenlink must reduce service due to staffing shortages.?The Contingency Plan adopted in December 2021 outlines the service reductions?to be implemented based on the number of bus drivers available. 
 
Reductions in service range from: 

• Reducing service frequency on Route 602: Woodruff Connector – which would mean bus service is available at bus stops along Route 602 every 60 minutes instead of bus service being available every 30 minutes to  
• Using one bus to service two different routes – which would mean that the vehicle and driver will alternate which route is served every other trip, providing bus service to each route every 120 minutes instead of every 60 minutes to  
• Combining two routes into one new route, traveling outbound on one route and then coming back into the Transit Center along a completely different route – which would mean bus service will only be available every 60 minutes on one side of the road depending on the new route’s design. 

Given that staffing shortages continue to be an issue, Greenlink staff are evaluating the Contingency Plan to determine if changes should be made for a more permanent plan when Greenlink is required to make cuts due to lack of drivers. Staff wants to hear from bus riders and the public on how the plan has impacted you (from December 2021 through October 2022) and to gather feedback on potential revisions to the Contingency Plan. You may provide your input in the following ways: 

• Attend one of these drop-in meetings to speak directly with Greenlink staff:
  • Tuesday, October 25 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Greenville State Farmer’s Market (1354 Rutherford Road, Greenville) 
  • Tuesday, October 25 from 5 – 6 p.m. at the Greenlink Transit Center (100 W McBee Avenue, Greenville) 
  • Wednesday, October 26 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the West Greenville Community Center (8 Rochester Street, Greenville) 
• Attend and speak at the Greenville Transit Authority public hearing on Thursday, October 27 at 12:30 p.m. (301 University Ridge – Conference Room D, Greenville).
• Complete this survey by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 3. 
• Call 864-467-4259 to provide your feedback by 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 3. 
• Email lmehserle@greenvillesc.gov to provide your feedback by 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 3. 
• Mail written feedback to Greenlink at 100 W. McBee Avenue, Greenville SC 29601 by Thursday, November 3. 

Effective January 2: Exact Change Required 

Greenlink’s buses will only accept exact change from passengers paying with cash and coins beginning January 2, 2023. Bills larger than $1 for single trips (or larger than $5 for an all-day pass) will no longer be accepted upon boarding. Change can be made at the Transit Center via the change vending machine, or customers with larger bills can load value onto a Umo smartphone app account or a Umo smartcard at the Transit Center. To help with this policy transition, Greenlink will waive the Umo smartcard activation fee ($2) for any customer requesting a smartcard before February 1, 2023. Learn more about Greenlink's fares and passes.