BCDCOG Receives $342,000 Grant to Provide Rural On-Demand Service to Underserved Areas

Press Release

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) announced it was awarded $342,000 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the development of a Rural On-Demand Transit Development Plan for TriCounty Link (TCL). 

The funds are part of the Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) program and will support the planning work needed to implement innovative same day, on-demand transit service in the underserved rural areas of Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties.

“This grant provides critical resources to enhance transit services to our region’s most rural residents,” said TriCounty Link Executive Director Ron Mitchum. “The On-Demand Transit Plan will reduce the traditional barriers to employment and economic prosperity for residents in rural communities and ensure everyone in the TriCounty has access to the transportation they need.”

The grant funding will be used to improve transit access and connectivity to Areas of Persistent Poverty and Historically Disadvantaged Communities in the TriCounty Link Service Area. The aim of the plan is to connect the region’s most vulnerable residents to existing and emerging job centers, with a modern, efficient, transit system.

Outcomes of the planning work include:

•  Identify transit gaps in service between vulnerable populations and emerging and existing job centers and training facilities, CARTA’s urban area transit network, and future LCRT service area.

• Lower operating costs and reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by designing a more efficient operating scenario for TCL by lessening empty and/or circuitous trips via an innovative on-demand transit solution.

• Develop reliable, same day, on-demand service scenarios for rural areas outside of urban transit service area.

FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty program provides support to state and local governments, transit agencies, and nonprofit organizations to create better transit for residents with limited or no transportation options.

The grant is a testament to BCDCOG’s dedication to improving transportation options for all residents. Through the development of the Rural On-Demand Transit Development Plan, BCDCOG aims to create an enhanced and more efficient transit system that meets the evolving needs of the TriCounty area.

Visit www.bcdcog.com or more information.

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