As Greenville continues to grow, people, cars and traffic increase. Existing infrastructure is challenged, so more roads are needed, reducing green space.
Alternatively, if reliable, convenient public transit is available, people will use it to get to and from work, medical appointments and outings. It will reduce the burden on existing roads and preserving the Upstate’s enviable quality of life.
Greenville Connects is an advocacy organization that works to ensure that transit is a part of Greenville’s growth. Its goal it to encourage transportation options beyond the car to keep roads running well, and to keep air and water clean.
“Greenville Connects’ fight for a better transit system is vital to the sustainability of our community,” said Erin Predmore, executive director. “Transit, like roads, is an investment in our infrastructure and economy. Transit provides real value. A study by a University of South Carolina economist found that for each dollar invested in Greenlink, up to $80 can be returned back into Greenville’s economy through economic activity.”
Formed in 2019 to serve as the voice for Greenlink riders, Greenville Connects works in close partnership with elected leaders, Greenlink, and community partners like Community Foundation of Greenville. Its hope is to build a modern, reliable and accessible transit system that meets the demands of our rapidly growing city and county.
Greenville Connects focuses its efforts on public engagement, policy reform, and securing sustainable public funding to upgrade the existing Greenlink system.
With support from CFG and other funders, Greenville Connects has:
- Protected transit service in Simpsonville from wholesale cuts in 2024
- Advocated for and won an exemption for groceries in special option sales taxes in South Carolina, allowing the transportation penny to be considered by Greenville County
- Twice prevented transit funding cuts in Greenville County’s annual budget
- Won a 3% allocation for transit in Greenville County’s 2026 penny tax referendum, which would increase Greenlink funding if passed by voters
- Successfully pushed for extra funding from the City of Greenville to increase frequency on nearly half of Greenlink routes
Greenville Connects is fighting for:
- Routes connecting to Travelers Rest, Greer, and other areas still not accessible via transit
- A more sustainable funding source that brings Greenlink in line with peer agencies
- Continuing to increase frequency in the transit network, making the service more reliable and convenient
- A system that creates more “choice riders,” those who have a car, but chose transit because it can be more convenient
- Innovations like microtransit, bus rapid transit, and signal prioritization that would mitigate traffic congestion
“Expanding transit options lowers household transportation costs, reduces the impacts of food and healthcare deserts and provides a vehicle for economic mobility through job access,” Predmore said. “Greenville will continue to grow for years to come. A better bus system means that everyone has access to the things that growth brings, leaving nobody behind.”
For more information, visit: greenvilleconnects.org/work.
