Archive for the ‘advocate’ Category

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our effort to oppose the CARTA Cuts this month.  We had a good visit to yesterday’s board meeting and were encourage to see the attitude of the board moving in a new direction.   More members of the pubic spoke during the public comment period yesterday than at any CARTA board meeting in the past.  While the message got garbled here and there, more people are riding transit in Charleston than ever before and revenues are higher than they have ever been while the cost per rider trip is down.   Not every figure is hitting every projection, but they’re all continuing to get better.  We learned that the system will go from using schedule data to plan bus trips to real time GPS data transmitted from the buses themselves this summer.  You can use Google to plan your trips now on the CARTA website, Google maps, Iphones, Android Devices and Ipads.  This summer you be able to get an estimated arrival time for your bus based on where it actually is and how fast it is moving.

Here is the PDF Continue the Progress Handout distributed at the meeting.

We’re also now actively involved in the national effort to improve transit with advocacy on the Federal level, where we’re joining communities across the US.  www.supporttransit.org  Representatives of the national organization attended part of yesterday’s meeting.

Two routes were combined, but it doesn’t appear more route cancellations are ahead.  That could change.  Most of the capacity of those routes will be redeployed to improve performance where buses are now running standing room only.

Here is the report as it appeared on WCBD Channel 2.

There was also a report on WCIV Channel 4 and two articles in the Post and Courier.  http://www2.counton2.com/news/2012/may/16/carta-bus-riders-concerned-about-talk-rate-hike-an-ar-3805290/

The most important thing we’ve done this month is reinforce the CARTA Board’s commitment to building a better system.  They’re under relentless pressure to slash service from people who don’t care about what happens to people who need transit to get to work.  We can’t expect public officials to stand up for this system unless we do.

Our efforts will continue.  Here is what you can do.

• Sign our petition online or in person to oppose further CARTA service cuts.
• Contact your federal, state, county and municipal representatives and ask them to commit to a plan for improved public transit.
• Check our calendar on the Hungryneck Straphangers website (see the menu bar above or our Facebook Page for the dates and locations of their meetings.
• Join our “Cling for CARTA” effort.  Put a “Don’t X Transit” window cling at your home, organization or business and put an image of it on the Hungryneck Straphangers Facebook Page
• Ride the bus.  Talk to your neighbors and other riders about the importance of improving transit with a target of reaching an annual ridership of 7.5 million by 2018.
• Contact us if you have ideas or questions wjhamilton29464@gmail.com or (843) 870-5299.

 

 

Transit riders have made it clear:

1.  Build on the success of increasing ridership (up 15% to 425 thousand in March 2012) and farebox revenue (Up 8%)
2. Stop the cuts
3. Adopt a long term plan for CARTA to build a dependable, basic bus transit system for our region, with night and weekend service, and safe, comfortable and accessible stops.

Please join us at the CARTA Board Meeting on Wednesday, May 16 at 2 pm at the Lonnie Hamilton County Office Building 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston, SC 29405 (Transit directions below) to be heard during the public comment period.  Speakers usually have 2 minutes.  If you can’t be there, sign our online petition now which will be presented to the board members then.  For those riders present at the meeting, we’ll have T-shirts for you to wear to show your support for basic, functional bus transit for the Charleston area.  If you aren’t comfortable speaking in public, you can hand in written comments or just wear a shirt and raise your hand in a show of support.

Unless we act now, together for a better system which serves everyone, we’ll end up fighting each other over pieces of the system this summer, the long term strategy of opponents of public transit where riders lose.

• Sign up to attend the Wed. April 16 Board meeting on Facebook
• Sign the online petition to show your support
• Contact the organizers for more information 870-5299 or wjhamilton29464@gmail.com
• We have signs and window clings available for businesses who want to show their support for public transit.
• Join our facebook group and let your views be known.

 

Bus directions to the CARTA Board Meeting

The CARTA #103 runs on Leeds Ave and the nearest stop is 0.3 miles from the Lonnie Hamilton Building.  Some of the possible trips indicated here stop on Rivers Ave., which is a 1.1 mile walk to the Lonnie Hamilton Building.  It is side walked the entire distance.  If you get there early, there are places to rest inside the building.  All persons entering the building will be subject to security scanning.  Auto parking at the Lonnie Hamilton Building, in a lot costing millions of dollars is free.

• East Cooper- Wando High School
• Downtown- Mary Street
• West Ashley- Citadel Mall
• North Charleston- Northwoods Mall

Background Information on the plan and cuts

• Younger Americans are driving less, Taking Transit More- http://www.uspirg.org/reports/usp/transportation-and-new-generation
• Continue the Progress Proposal from East Cooper CARTA Riders https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=10aqryEpXpgNjXKQTVBwQlFtoJrjicHLbiY2hhR2ImlI
• Much misinformation about pay for bus drivers has been circulating.  Starting pay for a CARTA Bus Driver is $9.81 per hour and increases with seniority to $17.86 and hour after over a decade of service.  Many drivers get only one day of vacation and two days of sick leave per year.  Many work “split shifts” driving during the morning, taking a forced 2-4 hour time off the clock and then driving again in the evening.  Others are required to work overtime.  Bus drives must pass tests, have a CDV license and a clean criminal record
• The Low country is a dangerous place for the long walks to bus stops reducing the number of routes would necessitate for riders.  Many bus stops lack safe sidewalks and street lighting to make the trip to and from the bus one a rider can survive.  Planned lack of night transit service for the next five years endangers riders and pedestrians.  Here is a map of the pedestrian fatalities in and around Charleston.  While pedestrian fatalities have been falling across the US, they’ve been rising in SC.  http://www.thestate.com/2011/12/07/2071370/pedestrian-deaths-up-sharply-in.html  WCIV reports two deaths, a motorist hitting a pedestrian and the motorist (who lost his license) being killed on a bicycle on the same road six months later.  http://www.abcnews4.com/story/18310087/ccso-deceased-bicyclist-was-charged-with-felony-after-dui-death
• Proposed CARTA Five Year Plan http://www.ridecarta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Agenda_Board_2012_0418_Part-3-of-4.pdf
• April 2012 CARTA Ridership and Financial Report http://www.ridecarta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Agenda_Board_2012_0418_Part-2-of-41.pdf

 

May is the time to stand up in support of functional public transit in the Charleston area and against the planned 5% cut in CARTA services.  Links are to facebook signups.   You can sign the onlne petition to stop the cuts now.

• Attend the Tuesday, May 8, City of Charleston Council meeting at City Hall at 80 Broad Street at 5 pm to present letters, signed petitions and speak during the public comment period.  Public comment is generally held later in the meeting, so don’t worry about getting there late.  Transit Directions from N. Charleston to Charleston City Hall.
• Listen to Morning Buzz on WTMA AM 1250 at 8 am for discussion segment on Fighting the CARTA cuts.
• Demonstrate at Superstop on Wednesday, May9, hand out information and collect petition signatures at the bus stops around the intersection of Rivers and Cosgrove Avenues in North Charleston, SC from 3 pm to 5:30.  This is the system’s busiest stop and we’re sure to reach hundreds of people.  Transit Directions to Superstop from Downtown for that day and time.
• Plan to attend the Wednesday, May 16 CARTA Board Meeting at 2 pm at the Lonnie Hamilton County Office Building to present petitions and letters and well as to speak during the public comment period.

Full details and links to facebook signups with access to Google Transit Trip Planning for each time and location can be found at www.eastccrider.com or be obtained by calling (843) 870-5299.

This demonstrations are planned to raise community awareness about planned 5% service cuts to the CARTA system, which has achieved record ridership of over 425,895 riders as of March 2012 (an increase of 15.84% over first quarter 2011), reflecting the growing need for functional public transit to serve people working in the region’s hospitality and medical industries where wages are often not high enough to support ownership and operation of an automobile.  A report released in March proposes cutting routes and service to reduce costs.  CARTA is already one of the most efficient transit systems in the US and charges some of the highest fares in the Southeast, recovering on of the nation’s highest percentages of the cost of operation from the farebox. 34.57% .  The system made major cuts in service in 2010 and smaller ones a year later, including loss of night bus service essential to allowing restaurant and medical workers to return home after work.

Information and reports on the first demonstration, held May 1 can be found at http://busec.org/fighting-the-carta-cuts-consolidating-resistance/

“It’s time for the Charleston region to accept the reality that our cost of living, geography and economy require us to have a functional public transit system to serve the needs of workers, students and tourists.  If we have a quarter of a billion dollars for an Expressway on Johns Island, 12 million dollars to renovate a WWII destroyer and 150 million dollars for airport improvements, it is well within our region’s capacity to find the modest amount of funds to provide reliable bus service for those who need it to make the service sector of our local economy work for everyone.”  According to William Hamilton, coordinator of the Hungryneck Straphangers, an independent public transit advocacy group from East of the Cooper.

Background Information & Documents

• Younger Americans are driving less, Taking Transit More- http://www.uspirg.org/reports/usp/transportation-and-new-generation
• Continue the Progress Proposal from East Cooper CARTA Riders https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=10aqryEpXpgNjXKQTVBwQlFtoJrjicHLbiY2hhR2ImlI
• Much misinformation about pay for bus drivers has been circulating.  Starting pay for a CARTA Bus Driver is $9.81 per hour and increases with seniority to $17.86 and hour after over a decade of service.  Many drivers get only one day of vacation and two days of sick leave per year.  Many work “split shifts” driving during the morning, taking a forced 2-4 hour time off the clock and then driving again in the evening.  Others are required to work overtime.  Bus drives must pass tests, have a CDV license and a clean criminal record
• Proposed CARTA Five Year Plan http://www.ridecarta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Agenda_Board_2012_0418_Part-3-of-4.pdf
• April 2012 CARTA Ridership and Financial Report http://www.ridecarta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Agenda_Board_2012_0418_Part-2-of-41.pdf

 

For updates on this effort, see our plan for speaking out at the May 16 CARTA Board meeting.

Charleston, SC-  Riders and supporters of Public Transit will collect petition signatures and demonstrate their opposition to further service cuts by CARTA on Tuesday, May 1^st. from 1 to 3 pm at the Mary Street Transit Center in downtown Charleston (80 Mary Street, Charleston, SC, across from Hughes Lumber).  The demonstration will be supported by the Hungryneck Straphangers (Formerly known as the East Cooper CARTA Riders) and will be conducted legally in accordance with city regulations.

Those wanting updates on the event can check the calendar and website at www.eastccrider.com or call (843) 870-5299.  The Transit center can easily be reached on CARTA.  Trips can be planned online using Google Map’s Transit function.   Here is the Google Transit Link for a Trip from Mount Pleasant.   Here is an Image of demonstration location

If there are sufficient demonstrators, we’ll send teams to spread the message to other transit centers in the region. leaving by bus right from Mary Street.

Last week a five year plan was presented to the CARTA Board to cut transit service in the Charleston area by another five percent.  The plan further suggested cancelling even more routes to increase service on the overburdened #10 route and add an express route serving the Boeing plant.  The plan included no strategies to restore night bus service desperately needed by people working late shifts in the medical and food and beverage sectors.  The plan contained no timeline for advancing towards construction of the long planned regional transit hub near the airport.  It would require eliminating drivers job’s and other skilled positions held by men and women who have worked years serving the public.

The Hungryneck Strap hangers organization feels this plan is inappropriate at a time when CARTA ridership has risen over 13% in a single year to a system record of 425,895 in March.  Transit services are essential to the economic survival of the area’s service workers, who already accept long commutes to work.  East Cooper’s #40 bus route is running standing room only many mornings and evenings.  The CARTA system is also used extensively by tourists, students, veterans and the disabled.  Increasing numbers of riders from Mount Pleasant are using the bus to link to employment as well, recovering time from their commute to catch up on reading and online activities.  The Hungryneck Straphangers is finishing a yearlong effort to increase ridership East of the Cooper which is pushing their new East Cooper Connector Route to its required ridership target and helped raise ridership in their area by over 3500 rides per month, establishing a successful model which could be replicated across the region.

The Plan can be read online on the CARTA website.

“We understand that CARTA has to adjust service based on economic limits, but this plan fails to include any strategies for retaining the current service level or meeting real needs in the future.  As our economy changes from one based on the automobile and cheap oil to one focused on talent and mobility, the content and scale of CARTA’s funding model must evolve as well to serve our area.  If we depend on service jobs in tourism and medical services, gentrify the city and push affordable housing inland, we have to have a transit system which connects workers to employment opportunities and their other needs.” Said William Hamilton, coordinator of the Hungryneck Straphangers.

You can sign an Online Petition to Further CARTA Service Cuts

The Demonstration will be one of thousands around the world held that day to raise awareness of environmental, economic justice and human rights issues.

You can read our position paper with alternative proposals online in Google Docs Continue the Progress

A facebook event signup has been established for the demonstration at http://tinyurl.com/chsmay1

You can download a printable, PDF Flyer announcing the event to use.

People East of the Cooper, from the Mayor of Mt. Pleasant to Middle School Students were all working on improving our transit system on March 13.   The process which has pushed ridership on our #40 Trans Mt. Pleasant Bus up 30% and gotten ridership on the #401 East Cooper Connector to 1400 riders per month continues after more than a year’s effort by government, non profits, churches and schools.

Town Leaders take a Ride

The Mayor of Mount Pleasant, four members of town council, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Planning Dpt. and several other Town Government representatives joined Linda Page and CARTA staff on board the #40 & #401 for a ride to and from Mount Pleasant Town Center from Town Hall.  Our #401 circulator bus route, which is still working towards achieving its ridership goals.  The #40 has shown spectacular growth.  The ride was linked to a CARTA promotional effort coordinated with similar promotions throughout the country celebrating the increase in ridership throughout the United States which was moving at a 6% annual rate as of December as increasing employment brings sidelined workers back on to transit while increasing gas prices make transit more competitive.  CARTA has exceeded the national trend with 17% growth over the last 12 months.  Along the route, our elected representatives saw places where upgraded stops were needed and were briefed on upcoming plans to put GPS tracking on the buses.  The ride was covered by local media, including WCIV TV 4′s Report.

Bus to the Beach Promoted to C of C Students

That afternoon, East Cooper CARTA riders renewed outreach efforts on behalf of our transit system at the College of Charleston, taking updated information on the #402 Island Flex Route to the beaches to the Offices of Admissions, Student Government and Student Media.  We had face to face conversations with counselors at admissions, student leaders and reporters about how the beach service worked and how the #40 connected it to downtown, from which students can have a fee round trip to the beach by using their ID as a bus pass.  We had made this trip before, however the new route began running too late for effective outreach last spring.  This time, with warm weather just beginning and memories of last week’s spring break fresh in the student’s minds, we got a very positive response.  About 50 schedules were distributed.  Details on the Free Bus to the Beach for C of C Students are online here.  OUr efforts were rewarded with a tweet send to hundreds of students the following day about the service, with more promotional efforts sure to come as the weather warms.

Preparations for Medical Complex Transit Canvas

In the evening, we got an update on preparations for transit canvass of the East Cooper Medical Complex being planned by the Moultrie Middle School Beta Club on March 30.  The Hospital has assigned staff to guide the students so that the canvas can reach the nursing and public information counters throughout the hospital.  More route schedules for the #401 were ordered from the printer by CARTA.  The students are studying the system, learning how to use Google maps to plan trips and working on outreach to the fellow students at the school as well.

Thanks to efforts like these, we’re making progress based on community engagement, not preparing for a public hearing where most of our routes are being reexamined for possible changes or cancellation as West of the Ashley and James Island were the following day.

See a quick video overview of the East Cooper Transit System at right from Youtube at right.

A year ago, as we prepared to launch these new routes, the common assumption was that people East of the Cooper wouldn’t ride CARTA.  We now know that isn’t true and that face to face outreach and educational efforts work here.  While the automobile will certainly continue to be a major part of our transportation system, the community is clearly moving towards a diversified hybrid system where transit, pedestrian travel along improved sidewalks and cycling along the new bike lanes and paths is becoming a significant part of how people East of the Cooper Move.

An impressive array of display boards at February 28^th. Coleman Blvd. Revitalization drop in meeting at Moultrie Middle school showed years of community effort coming together to create a main street for Mount Pleasant which will be transit enabled, complete with carefully planned bus stop locations.

The two hour drop in drew dozens of participants and community stakeholders from nearby neighborhoods, the business community and civic sector. Several members of the East Cooper Carta Riders attended to continue their support for a planning process which will shape a community where public transportation can work better, building on the successful effort of the past year which has put thousands of new rides per month on board the community’s new route system.

East Cooper CARTA Riders handed in a written statement with illustrations of existing stops in the area for the Planning Department’s consideration at the hearing.  For more information on East Cooper Public Transit, including the new ability to use Google Transit to plan trips on the CARTA system automatically, see their website at www.eastccrider.com.

An illustrated map of most existing East Cooper Bus Stops https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=wjhamilton29464&aid=5595773187925954337#map

Trips nearly everywhere on the CARTA bus system can now be planned automatically using Google Transit.

The text of the handout provided at last night’s meeting is below.

Better Bus Stops on Coleman Blvd.

From              East Cooper CARTA Riders
To                   Town of Mt. Pleasant
Date               February 28, 2012

Coleman Blvd. is an important section of our community’s new CARTA #401 East Cooper Connector Bus Route.   The Coleman Blvd. section of this route is one of the most productive areas for generating ridership.  Appropriate bus stops should be planned as part of the Boulevard improvement project.

This route is working towards reaching its ridership goal of 10 passengers per hour. During its first full month of operation in May 2011, the #40 had 800 Riders.  It reached 1100 in August and 1400 in December.  Elsewhere on the East Cooper CARTA system, huge increases of over 30% have been seen on the #40 Trans Mount Pleasant route, which is connected to the #401 East Cooper Connector.  The walkable sidewalk network extending into the Old Village area helps support ridership generation in this area.  The University School of the Lowcountry has actively supported development of this route, including production of a You Tube Video and door to door distribution of schedule information.

Coleman Blvd. has several nice stops now.  There is a shelter at Sea Island Shopping Center.  The park adjacent to Moultrie Middle School provides an attractive stop with benches, a swing, and its various amenities.  There is a b Read the rest of this entry »

Route Status

November is an important month for the East Cooper CARTA effort.  Both local routes, the #401 East Cooper Connector and the #402 Island Flex have not met ridership standards.  Everyone seems to recognize that more time is needed for the #401 to reach its goals considering the negative impact of road construction in Mount Pleasant on operations.  The bus simply can’t keep a reliable schedule with the roads its operating on being snarled in traffic and construction barriers.  Lots of improvements and effort is needed on the 401 but its utility and ultimate success seems to have everyone’s confidence.  It also has the backing of a community wide effort supported by neighborhoods, schools, churches and business.

The #402 Island Flex is a much different story.  It has continued to struggle with the issues which have plagued it since June.  It never really performed like most people thought it would.  There are some great new drivers on the route and major improvements in the operation of CARTA’s telephone reservation and dispatch system, but they’ve come after the busy summer season is over.  Something different is going to need to be tried, possibly a bus connecting the front beach with a limited stop route connecting N. Charleston and Mt. Pleasant to the beach.

The CARTA board voted to put both routes before the Route Review Committee, the committee which adjusts, cancels and approves routes as their own rules require them to.  There will be a hearing.  We’re going to need to be ready.

Later, Lets Have Some Fun

Nov 13- Park Pleasantly, Play Downtown with the CARTA #40

East Cooper CARTA Riders will provide a guided tour to Second Sunday Festival on King Street on Sunday, November 13.  Those interested can board the CARTA #40 bus anywhere along its route on the run beginning at Wando High School at 11:38 and arriving downtown at 12:38 or later runs.  Riders can return home on either the 2:38, 4:38 or 6:38 runs from the Visitor’s Center Downtown to any point along the #40 route.  Full information on the #40 CARTA Trans Mt. Pleasant bus route can be found at www.eastccrider.com.

In order to assist riders that day, updates from the #40 CARTA bus will be tweeted by @wjhamilton29464 or they can call 843 870-5299 for a telephone report on where the bus is between 11 am and 12:38.  Activities the entire afternoon will be tweeted with hash code #CARTA40.

Second Sunday on King transforms King Street into a walkable, car free environment from Queen Street to Calhoun with outdoor dining, shopping specials and street entertainment.  Since the event burdens the surrounding streets and parking facilities, the bus is an excellent way to access it from Mt. Pleasant.  Those who made the trip in October said it was a delightful way to go downtown, parking pleasantly in lots along the route in Mt. Pleasant and playing downtown.

Then, Let’s Make some Money and have More Fun

Nov. 25- Black Friday on the Bus CARTA #401

Mount Pleasant’s East Cooper Connector #401 bus is a fun way to enjoy the busy Black Friday shopping day after Thanksgiving while sampling the Town’s surprising array of local and second hand shopping, as well as it’s major shopping areas.  Members of East Cooper CARTA Riders will be on Board from 9 to 1 pm, sending out updates on Twitter and Facebook.  Merchants can facebook and tweet specials and sales that day using hash code #CARTA401.

The East Cooper Connector links shoppers to five major shopping centers including Belle Hall, Town Centre, Sea Island Shopping Center, Patriot’s Plaza and all of Coleman Blvd.  Over 25 antique and second hand shops can be found along the route from two Goodwills to high end purveyors of treasures from centuries ago.  You’ll find plenty of your neighbors at both.

You’ll also find ECCO on the route serving the needy of our community and many small, local shops with unique gifts grown and made right here in the lowcountry.  The Sweetgrass basket pavillion at Waterfront Park offers Mount Pleasant’s signature craft, our world famous baskets made by your neighbors, an heirloom gift that returns every penny spent on it back to your community.

To shop on Black Friday or any day, get full route information at www.eastccrider.com.  The East Cooper Connector is an easy bus to use 12 hours a day, Monday through Saturday, following a lollypop shaped route around Mt. Pleasant.  Merchants can post specials on the East Cooper CARTA Riders Facebook Event Page or tweet with hashcode #CARTA401

If you want your business to be involved email wjhamilton29464@gmail.com with details on any special offers or sales your business located along the #401 route might like to offer that day and we’ll put them online here, tweet them out and let people know.  A downloadable PDF guide will be available.  Deadline for to submit offers will be Nov. 18.

 

Four more events in October to make East Cooper Transit more useful and efficient.  Click the “Calendar” tab at the top of our page for access to fully interactive Google Calendar entries on all our activities,  including transit access information.

Night Service Returns, Online Trip Planning

CARTA at Night returns thanks to improved retail sales in our community generating additional transit support revenue, providing door to door transit opportunities from, to and across a downtown hub after regular bus service ends at night.  Google Transit goes online with a new CARTA website, enabling automated door to door transit trip planning with detailed maps and Google context content on your computer or smart phone.

Sun. Oct. 16, 12 noon—5 pm
Children’s Festival Transit Outreach

Image, Right “Linky” Tri County Link’s Bus mascot, will join us at the Children’s Festival

Students from the University School of the Lowcountry, CARTA, Trident Links (and their frog mascot Linky) join a  fun afternoon of outreach and children’s activities at the 24^th Annual Town of Mount Pleasant Children’s Day Festival presented by BI-LO at the Park West Recreation Center. Learn how CARTA and the rural Trident Links bus system connect here enabling transit all the way to Moncks Corner and McCellenville.

Wed, Oct.  19,  2 pm – 4pm
CARTA Board Meeting

The CARTA board will hear public comment and make decisions about the future of routes East of the Cooper based on data from the April to September service period.  Location and full agenda TBA.  East Cooper CARTA Riders encourages everyone who can to attend.

Tue, Oct. 25,  7 pm – 9pm
Mt. Pleasant Town Election Forum

Waterworks Bld., 1619 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC.  Present questions on transit related issues and learn about the candidates for Mt. Pleasant Town Council.

Thu, Oct. 27,  7 pm – 8:30pm
IOP City Election Forum

IOP Recreation Center, #24, 29th. Ave., Isle of Palms, SC.  Question Candidates about transit related issues, including efforts to make the endangered #402 Island Flex more effective.  Both forums sponsored by the League of Women Voters and several other organizations.

 

9/23/2011- Friday Update has been added at the bottom of this post with new information.

Mount Pleasant, SC, USA- East Cooper's effort to build a better CARTA transit system joins a global event on Saturday, September 24th when the East Cooper CARTA Riders will take transit information into Mount Pleasant's Old Village after a breakfast meeting, knocking on doors with the message that success for the new East Cooper Connector #401 Route means "the bus up to us."

Volunteers will enjoy a Dutch treat breakfast at Page’s Okra Grill at its new location at 302 Coleman Boulevard at 8 am, then move out about 9 am on foot, by bike and on the CARTA #401 East Cooper Connector Bus for a morning of transit awareness development and outreach focused on Coleman Blvd. and the walkable, transit accessible community and shopping district being redeveloped along Mount Pleasant’s Main Street and nearby areas. Most of the effort will be hanging bags with transit literature on door knobs and talking to people about the new routes.

Such efforts have already proven successful here, raising ridership on the #40 Trans Mount Pleasant bus route by 16%.

University School of the Lowcountry Students have already been at work in this effort earlier this month. This wonderful video gives you an idea of what we’ll be doing Saturday after breakfast.

This event marks the beginning of the last full week in the probationary evaluation period for the new route, which will be rated by the CARTA staff and board based on its performance for the period ending September 30, 2011. Based on ridership and farebox revenue figures to that date the bus may be continued, modified or terminated.

For full information or to volunteer that day see www.eastccrider.com or call (843) 870=5299.  You can sign up for this event and updates on The Bus is Up To Us Event Page on Facebook

This is part of the Moving Planet Global event focused on reducing carbon emissions www.moving-planet.org with thousands of activities around the world that day.  We’ll connect with that Global effort online during our activities here in Mount Pleasant.

Friday Update to this Post

Rhonda Weichsel facilitated a very productive survey of the Old Village / Coleman Blvd. area this morning in preparation for tomorrow’s door to door transit outreach canvass with community volunteers and students from the University School of the Lowcountry.

Rhonda’s detailed knowledge of her neighborhood showed me areas which would need transit information I didn’t know existed.  We highlighted a map which will be refined today for handing out to the volunteers during the breakfast at Page’s Okra Grill.  Our target is 600 residences and an information table at Royall Hardware.  We expect to reach over 1000 potential transit riders.

I’ll lead the Old Village area door to door effort.  Linda Page will lead the effort along Whipple Road, which will start with the Anchorage Apartments.  Thomasina Stokes Marshall, also of the CARTA board and Mt. Pleasant Town Council will also be working with us.

We also visited Mt. Pleasant Academy, Sullivan’s Island Elementary (currently at the old Whitesides Campus on the #401 Route) and Stella Marris Schools where we began the process of involving them in our
effort this morning.

Tri County  Link is joining our effort for the first time tomorrow.  They run the bus services in rural areas, including the route which connects McClellenville & Awendaw to Mount Pleasant.  They’re bringing their costumed Mascot to assist us Saturday.  One of their vehicles will be visiting the University School to drop off printed materials today.

Everyone planning to work tomorrow should wear good walking shoes, bring a reusable bottle of water and an empty backpack if they have
one.  We’l go rain or shine, so dress appropriately.

It was clear from this morning’s survey that there is a lot of need for transit here.  We saw people waiting for the #401 East Cooper Connector in several places.  Frankly I saw mobile home parks and low income areas likely to need transit that I, a 20 year resident of Mount Pleasant, didn’t know existed.  If we can connect that need to the resources CARTA has operating, we can keep these routes and build this transit system beyond the 2000 additional riders per month we’ve already put on the buses.

The University School of the Lowcountry  is stuffing 600 bags with transit material today and for the first time, we’ll be including material from Trident Links as well as CARTA.  The students have also been making posters.  Our
efforts would be impossible without the help of our school volunteers, including the massive Wando effort last Spring.

Tomorrow our effort will be one of thousands in 176 countries which are part of the Moving Planet event.  We’ll be sending out images and video of our efforts here to that global effort.  Your efforts Saturday open a weekend of working for a more sustainable, greener world that continues on Sunday with the Charleston Green Fair, at which CARTA and Trident Links will both operate information booths.

Our East Cooper effort will continue with a promotion to ride CARTA downtown for the Second Sunday on King Street event in October, a
major student lead outreach effort at the Mount Pleasant Children’s Festival, support of the restart of CARTA at Night in our area and Black Friday on the Bus, the day after Thanksgiving.  We’re in contact with transit activists in N. Charleston and James Island who are beginning work similar to ours at East Cooper CARTA Riders.

It has been a long, hot summer but now that the community is back together and schools, churches and other organizations are active again, the network we began last Spring is working.  Thanks for helping us begin the journey we take together for public transit East of the Cooper.

William Hamilton, Coordinator
Wjhamilton29464@gmail.com
(843) 870-5299

East Cooper CARTA Riders will join disability rights advocates at this June 28th. Meeting to show support for improved bus stops and access to bus stops in the East Cooper Area.  We’ll video record the meeting for use on our website and hand up full copies of our complete stop survey of the deficiencies in East Cooper’s existing bus stops.  Please join us at this important meeting.  Afterwards, we’ll gather at the Starbucks on Houston Northcutt, near the Harris Teeter, to debrief and plan future strategies.

Meeting Signup

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