* This is a printer friendly version of the original page, made to save you ink and paper.

Added:  Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The November
Referendum

On November 2, 2010
Horry County residents will vote on the following referendum:
"DO YOU FAVOR THE FUNDING BY HORRY COUNTY, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 6/10THS OF A MILL ($1,080,000.00) ANNUALLY, FOR THE OPERATIONS OF A REGIONAL PUBLIC MASS TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER SUCH AS COAST RTA?"

Read below for some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the
Mass Public Transportation Referendum

1. What is Public Transportation?

• Public transportation is a service for seniors, students, medical patients, workers, tourist, and others who do not have private transportation.

• Like police, fire, EMS, and road construction, it is a public service for those who need it, when they need it.

2. Who uses mass public transportation?

• Public transportation riders are diverse:
• Seniors 65 or older, 7 percent
• 18 years & younger, 10 percent
• Women, 52 percent
• Caucasians, 45 percent
• African-Americans, 31 percent
• Hispanics,18 percent

• All other commuters, 6 percent

3. How does the cost to ride mass transit compare to the cost for a cab?

• In Horry County, a cab ride starts at $1.50, and $2.80 per mile thereafter. Coast RTA fixed routes are $1.50 per ride.

4. How would investing in transit benefit me personally?

• Each bus removes 40 cars from our roads further reducing congestion and making the roads safer for everyone.

• Less traffic congestion improves the quality of life.
  Public transportation benefits the environment and causes less dependency on foreign oil.

5. Wouldn't it be cheaper to build or widen more roads?

• Studies have shown that new roadways quickly fill to capacity which does not relieve congestion

• It could cost up to ten million dollars ($10,000,000) per mile to build a roadway.

6. Why aren't the buses full all of the time?

• The purpose of mass public transportation is to provide service to those who need it, when they need it.

• Like police, fire, and school buses, Coast RTA's system is designed to meet the needs of the community.

7. How will funding Coast RTA help support tourism in Horry County?

• Coast RTA provides transportation options for residents that work in the tourist industry.

• Coast RTA provides options for tourist to park their cars and relieve congestion.

8. If the referendum doesn't pass, what will happen?

• Jobs will be lost
• People will lose accessibility to work, recreation, education, shopping, and medical appointments

• Tourism and the local economy will be adversely affected.

9. How much would it cost the average household in Horry County?

• $0.00-$2.40 per year for the owner of a $100,000 home

10. How can I support mass public transportation in Horry County?

• As a concerned citizen, you may:
• Contact your local, state and federal officials to ask for their support.
• Write letters to City and County Council
• Write letters to the Editor
• Host informative meetings
• Encourage people to go to the polls on November 2 to vote.

Most Importantly... "Try Transit!"

For more information contact:
Yvette Jefferson, Coordinator
Speakers Bureau
(843) 488-0865 ext 221
[email protected]

All rights reserved. Copyright 2009 - 2010, Coast RTA