Public Transit as a Public Service
Introduction
In the South Carolina Lowcountry, just as many communities around the country, public transit has proven to be a necessary service, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Essential workers have continued to utilize public transit during their daily commute, ensuring our healthcare and economic systems continue to operate. However, one of the critical weaknesses of our public transit infrastructure has been underscored as a result of the pandemic — it’s funding structure. Across South Carolina, a majority of our public transit agencies receive most of their funding from a mixture of state and federal grants and annual discretionary allocations made by local governments. While the state and federal grants make up around 80% of the funding stream, the local funding is imperative. It makes up what is referred to as “local match,” without which the agencies would not qualify for the grant funding. As government revenues have declined as a result of the impact of the coronavirus and local governments seek to reduce expenditures, these discretionary allocations are often one of the first line items to go, jeopardizing the solvency of our public transit infrastructure and, more importantly, how it functions to support our local economy. The simplest and most obvious answer is to treat public transit as a public service and establish dedicated local funding sources across the board.
Merriam-Webster defines public service as: “1: the business of supplying a commodity (such as electricity or gas) or service (such as transportation) to any or all members of a community; 2: a service rendered in the public interest; 3: governmental employment.” Working from this definition, it is clear that public transit in South Carolina is most definitely a public service. Our public transit agencies not only benefit the members of our community who depend on transportation services to get to work, dialysis, etc. but the services provide a benefit to the rest of our community by reducing traffic congestion and lessening the environmental impact of individuals’ daily commutes.
Among the specific issues that public transit help address, especially in the Lowcountry, is the workforce shortage in more populated areas and the shortage of employment opportunities in our more rural areas. Everyday our buses transport workers from outlying rural areas to jobs in and around Hilton Head Island. This often unseen network connects those who need gainful employment with employers who are often struggling to find qualified workers. The issue of worker shortages at restaurants, retail stores, service and construction firms, and hotels and resorts on Hilton Head Island is not a new problem but has been in the news for more than a decade. While there is no quick-fix to the issue, a reliably funded, robust public transit system no doubt contributes to the long-term solution. Additionally, the lack of well-paying jobs in the outlying counties, including Allendale, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper, has been a persistent challenge over the years. Supporting a comprehensive public transit solution would increase the employment opportunities available to those in rural areas who are struggling to find employment.
There is no doubt that public transit, as presently implemented here in the Lowcountry and throughout South Carolina, provides a critical service to all members of the community. Treating transit as a public service and establishing reliable dedicated funding provides for our common public interest and contributes to resolving multiple problems currently faced by our community.
Conclusion
About the Author: Henry Criss is a government management and finance professional who currently serves on the finance team of the Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority (Palmetto Breeze) serving the residents of and visitors to the South Carolina Lowcountry.
