Columbia City Councilman E.W. Cromartie and Richland County Councilwoman Bernice Scott join passengers on the trolley ride.

On October 21, 2004, a delegation of 20 members of the Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) Board, Rail Committee, and staff and representatives of Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA) and the City of Columbia spent the day in Charlotte, NC. They experienced first–hand the area’s transit system. The purpose of the visit was to learn how Charlotte has accomplished the progress they have made in public transportation and what lessons can be applied in the Central Midlands area of SC.

E.W. Cromartie, CMCOG Board chair and CMRTA Board member, led the delegation, which included Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, Columbia City Manager Charles Austin, Richland County Councilwoman Bernice Scott, SCDOT Commissioner John Hardee, Norm Whittaker, CMCOG Executive Director, and a number of CMCOG Board and committee members and staff.

The central city system consists of fixed route buses that link with the fixed routes, and trolleys on rails and rubber tires. Public transit uniquely suited for each corridor coming into the city of Charlotte is under development and includes light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit. Lanes for high occupancy vehicles, fare free trolley shuttles, and support for vanpools are other features of the system. Out–of–county service is provided on a shared cost basis and a fare differential.

The Central Midlands visitors rode #85, one of the original trolley cars from an earlier era, along an uptown route that will also be a corridor for the new light rail system. They observed the significant construction and a new business development stimulated by the transit. They marveled at the forward thinking that provided a passageway through the convention center for the rail passenger service!

What do Charlotte leaders identify as keys to the success of their transit system?

• A vision that ties together a regional approach to public transportation, land use, and economic development and has business community support.

• A dedicated funding source for public transportation—a 1/2 cent local sales tax.

• A shift in NC Department of Transportation direction from new road construction to maintenance of roads and significant investment in transportation alternatives—bus, rail, bike, and pedestrian.

• Demonstrated progress in bus, trolley, light rail, and commuter rail services.

• A safe, reliable, cost–conscious, user friendly transit system.

The Midlands Area visitors were informed and energized by the wealth of data shared by their NC colleagues. The group returned with renewed commitment to build support for making public transportation in Columbia and the surrounding Midlands area the community asset and economic engine that was so obvious in Charlotte.

The benefits of public transportation are well documented:

• Enhancement of safety and security

• Protection of the environment and public health—cleaner air and water.

• Conservation of energy

• Provision of access, choice and economic opportunity

•Attraction of a larger and more reliable work force and business savings

• Enhancing development and prosperity in the form of more jobs, revitalized business and activity centers, and an expanded tax base

• Saving for human service programs

• Move access to health care and education

• A vital link for seniors, the disabled and children

• An economic engine for metropolitan areas and preservation of small rural and urban communities. (APTA, September 2002)

The group that visited Charlotte saw how the Midlands area can claim these benefits for our communities.