Palm Beach County more people want #publictransit instead of more roads

Sun Sentinel: "An increased focus on public transportation is a shift for the county, which has poured much of its investments in the past into building and expanding roads. Part of the shift is because residents are asking for it.

In a county survey asking how residents would rank transportation priorities, some 61 percent included expanding Palm Tran as a top priority. Compare that to 53 percent who included expanding and building new roads as a top priority."

People want frequent buses. Best way? Make them free

Pinellas bus riders to U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor: We want more frequent service! - SaintPetersBlog: "Congress woman Kathy Castor took a ride on a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus this morning to find out what her constituents need in a bus system. During what she calls a transit town hall, Castor spoke with about a half-dozen regular bus riders about their commutes. The most common theme: buses don’t run frequently enough."

Public Transportation Industry EXPO highlights leadership and industry innovations

Your Houston News: ""Public transportation offers more than just mobility, it also shapes communities," continued Melaniphy. “Our industry is about the future, and public transit is a crucial part of the solution to the nation's economic, energy, and environmental challenge.""

Colorado Springs: Rally for public transportation at city hall Oct. 20

gazette : "The Community Transit Coalition is holding a rally and march in support of public transit and to mark an increase in funding in Mayor Steve Bach's 2015 proposed budget. 

The event will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20 at city hall (107 N. Nevada Ave).

The organization will hand out bus passes to attendees of the event such as a full month unlimited pass, multiple 20-punch passes and single day passes.  

The mayor’s proposed budget for 2015 includes a more than $470,000 increase for transit operating and capital improvement project funds. The goal is to increase frequency on one bus route and provide grant match for a transit and pedestrian accessibility on four routes. 

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/communitytransitcoalition or email communitytransitcoalition@gmail.com."

GOTCHA electric transportation service in Charleston offers free service at colleges

Post and Courier: "Flood said he started GOTCHA Ride in 2009 as a way to offer free, safe and eco-friendly transportation on college campuses using a fleet of electric vehicles that he developed with co-founder Drew Sfugaras. GOTCHA is an acronym for "green-operated-transit carrying humanity around.""

Mass transit key to state's transportation future, supporters say

Post and Courier: "Some 80 percent of people surveyed in 2013 agreed that better public transit is needed, according to the study.

Maria Parker of Charleston said she can drive to work in 25 minutes but the CARTA bus service takes over an hour to get to her job in North Charleston. She lived in Germany where she did not need a car because of the advanced rail transit that cost $1,000 per year for a pass, which she said is much less than the cost of owning and maintaining a car.

Tom Fressilli of Mount Pleasant said the area needs Amtrak passenger trains running west. The route from here to Atlanta goes first to Washington D.C., he said.

"This is not rocket science. We put a man on the moon. We've got an economy geared toward cars and asphalt," he said.

The annual number of passengers on the local bus service run by CARTA has climbed past the 4.9 million mark. But as rider demand rises, the agency is scrambling to find funds to replace an aging fleet."

Half of South Carolina does not drive

Post and Courier: "Half of S.C.'s population does not drive an automobile. About 10 percent of the people driving on our roads should not drive because they lack a valid license or insurance. These facts make the S.C. Department of Transportation's decision to hold its Sept. 23 public meeting on Daniel Island difficult to respect."

Birmingham's public transportation system must be fixed

AL.com: "I have been riding public transportation for over 40 years in cities all over the world and by far MAX is the worst. If a bus is late, that does not really bother me as much as it does when buses never come or do not take the prescribed route. That is when I get upset, especially when I pay for a 31 day pass to get me back and forth to work. What is the need for bus stops if the buses do not drive the route?  On several occasions I have had the bus driver ask me what the route was."

Greenville - #freetransit leads to more transit

MyrtleBeachOnline.com: "With increased growth has come increased demand for the trolley, leading to the announcement earlier this month of two new trolleys being added to Greenville's fledgling fleet. The first of those began providing parking transportation for Greenville Drive baseball games Monday and started regular downtown service Thursday night."

Phoenix Mayor Wants To Improve Public Transit

KJZZ : "Phoenix is creating a citizen’s committee meant to help improve public transportation in the city. Mayor Greg Stanton said he wants to triple the amount of light-rail lines in the city, increase bus routes and make the city friendlier to bikes and pedestrians."