Coast RTA officials say bus fares account for only about five percent of the agency's funding.
Horry County Council passed its 2011 budget Tuesday night, including money for Coast Regional Transportation Authority, but it also decided to let voters choose whether they want taxpayers to fund mass transit in the future.
That would include bus service from Coast RTA.
Council voted to ask the Department of Justice to approve a referendum for the November ballot.
The referendum would ask voters if they support the county continuing to fund mass transportation. It would be advisory, which means council would not have to act on the vote.
Council overnighted the package to the Justice Department Wednesday.
RTA officials say their agency provides a much-needed service to the Grand Strand, but we wanted to know what people who use the bus every day think about it.
With the Grand Strand 60 miles long from Little River to Georgetown, many people we talked to say it's hard to get around this area, if you don't own a car. That's why they really need the bus.
Mid-day is a busy time at the Coast RTA's transfer station in Myrtle Beach.
Some folks there are tourists headed to shopping centers. Others are tourism workers going to their jobs. All have their reasons for taking the bus.
"Because we don't drive. We're here on a work program so we use the bus a lot," said Myrtle Beach tourism employee Andrea Perry-Tomlinson.
Perry-Tomlinson says she has access to other forms of transportation, but usually takes the bus because it's just cheaper and easier.
For others, the bus is their only option to get where they need to go.
"I have no other means of transportation," said Tam Stacy of Conway.
Some folks paying their bus fares say they seldom take the bus, but still need it badly when nothing else is available.
One rider says, before this day, the last time he took a bus was about five years ago. He'd like to use the service more often, but the closest bus stop to his home is several miles away.
"If they get more money, they can get more drivers and buses can be out on the streets and make it more accessible for people like me who have to catch a bus," said Kenneth Longs of Conway.
Coast RTA officials say they're encouraged that Horry County has come through with funding for the agency in next year's budget. They say the loss of that money would have had serious consequences.
"We would definitely have to look at cutting routes, perhaps cutting employees. there's just no way we can survive without that crucial funding," said Yvette Jefferson, Coast RTA marketing director.
RTA manager Myers Rollins says the agency was helped by federal stimulus money this year, but that was a one-time thing. He says the agency's goal is to find a source of funding that's recurring year after year. back to you.
Coast RTA officials say bus fares account for only about five percent of the agency's funding. They last increased fares in May.
