Oconee approves funds for public transport

Seneca, Walhalla and Westminster will soon be linked by public transportation for those who need a way to get about. The County Council last night unanimously approved spending $300,000 as part of matching funds for a grant that will extend the Clemson Area Transit bus lines that currently serve Seneca to include the other two towns. Seneca has received a $1.45 million SCDOT/Federal Transit Administration grant to extend the bus lines. The grant required a total match of $500,000. The funds will go to buy and operation two long range all-electric buses from Proterra of Greenville, maker of the all-electric buses in Seneca’s fleet. The Council’s move came not without controversy, however, as county residents during the Council’s public comment section weighed in both for and against, with District 2 Councilmember Wayne McCall agreeing with the neighs but adding the county had been “roped in” to spending the money by earlier declarations of support beginning in 2016, when the grant application was initiated. McCall said low rider usage of the Seneca buses is his reason to opposing on principle, He echoed county residents who had spoken earlier on the great expense versus few apparent riders. “(Spending the money on bus service) is just not a good idea,” McCall said. The councilmember said former county administrator and present Seneca city administrator Scott Moulder had recently described rider usage of the Seneca buses as “dismal,” and indicated the city may soon start to charge fares to offset part of the operating costs. Council chairman Julian Davis, fully supported the action and said rider use on some lines might be sparse but also called attention to the need and desire to provide some means of those without other transportation to get to work, to medical care or to county government offices in Walhalla as needed. The plan to extend bus service was “not perfect,” Davis said, “but it helps people to get from Point A to Point B, to get to the grocery store … to (the) Rosa Clark (clinic) … it helps them get on their feet.”