Can you make it to work on time?
For too many Greenville residents, this question does not always come with an easy answer.
Lack of access to safe and reliable transportation has become a growing barrier to financial stability, with 22% of people in Greenville County reporting they have trouble getting to their jobs due to transportation, according to a 2015 survey.
It’s a problem that goes beyond just getting to work. For those without cars, the simple task of going to the grocery store or pharmacy can be a trial. Even those with access to a car often face difficulties, as nearly half of car owners in Greenville County reported being occasionally unable to drive due to the cost of gas or maintenance.
“As our community continues to grow and rising costs push people farther and farther away from our city centers, transportation has become a significant barrier to success” said Meghan Barp, president and CEO of United Way of Greenville County. “The issue impacts just about every aspect of a person’s life, from where they work, where they go to school, how they access medical care, and so much more.”
That’s why United Way of Greenville County has taken a critical step toward addressing these transportation challenges in its How We Win impact strategy, highlighting the need for expanded public transportation access alongside other key issues like education, housing and child care.
Greenlink, the city’s bus system, is a particular focus. United Way is part of a larger collaboration, Greenville Connects, working to increase service hours, routes and route frequencies countywide.
“Adding routes or expanding hours means someone can take a new job, or gain access to high-quality child care for their kids, or eat healthy food from a grocery store,” Barp said. “This can be literally life changing.”
That comes as the organization is also working to maximize the number of people who can safely utilize public streets and thoroughfares — pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.
“The county is expected to grow by another 220,000 people in the next 15 years alone,” Barp said. “We need to work now to solve the transportation gap in our community.”
If you want to help, visit unitedwaygc.org/get-involved.
