Twelve Goals to Achieve transit justice – Build BRT and strengthen bus service

Achieve Transit Justice – Build BRT and Strengthen Bus Service

These 12 demands are part of a more detailed document containing over 70 recommendations for improving transit in the Lowcountry. They elaborate one of the demands being made by Climate Strike Charleston, “Achieve transit justice – Build BRT and strengthen bus service”

During the Global Climate Strike, Sept. 20 to 28, 2019, we are asking transit riders and the general public to review the Google Docs Version of the full, five page document online and post their comments and suggested additions and revisions. We are distributing the longer document online to reduce the use of paper and carbon impacts. Our organization has already begun work on all 12 of these goalsm but details and tactics continue to evolve with community input.

The final version will be published to the Democratic candidates for President present at the Blue Jamboree in Charleston County on Oct. 5 and delivered to Republican leaders and local elected officials and the BCD Cog, CARTA and Tri County Link shortly thereafter.

These 12 goals are the ways in which Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit believes the Lowcountry can use improved transit to reduce our community’s carbon footprint, slow the destructive changes in climate and sea level which threaten our community and increase environmental justice.

The full, detailed document is now open for comment on Google Docs.

12 Goals for a better Transit enabled future for the Lowcountry 

1. Plan, build and commence operation of the Bus Rapid Transit line on or before Oct. 1, 2022 connecting Charleston, N. Charleston, Summerville, Ladson & Lincolnville.
2. End the 11 Million dollar per year “Pay Go” diversion of transit funds and apply more of the 350 million dollars approved by voters in 2016 to approve existing regular bus service.
3. Build 20 more sheltered bus stops in Charleston County in 2020.
4. Return Transit service to the beach by Memorial Day 2020.
5. Double Transit Ridership by Seniors and Students by November 2020.
6. Transit Enable the Lowline for fast, efficient rapid transit service to the heart of Charleston.
7. Restore Webcast and Video Archiving of CARTA Board Meetings. Establish Webcasting and archiving of Tri County LINK board meetings.
8. Reserve space for affordable housing along planned rapid transit line.
9. Build complete streets for transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians.
10. Plan Rapid Transit to the heart of Downtown Summerville and increase frequency and coverage of transit service in Dorchester County.
11. Begin better bus service and shelters for Berkeley County
12. Maintain Breeze Bus service from Walterboro to Hilton Head and establish a circulator service connecting Walterboro with surrounding rural communities.

Read and comment on the full document 

at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IueWoN-ZDVPWLPKas2bc7UyThoi0L671/view?usp=sharing or contact William Hamilton at wjhamilton29464@gmail.comwjhamilton29464@gmail.com or call (843) 870-5299

Climate Strike for Sustainable Community for All

Note= 9-25-19- The schedule of events has been updated again, past events have been deleted.

The South Carolina Lowcountry must change its focus to its people and the future. Tourism, history, landmarks and the priorities of the wealthy cannot force us to wait until climate change, development, sea-level rise and globalization allow others to make all our decisions for us. We must have a community where affordable housing is available, living wages are paid and our transportation system offers mobility to all planned in a way that accounts for the changes in sea level and climate change. These plans must reduce the impact of those changes on the remaining generations that will live here.

Download Updated, printable PDF flyer- Ver. Sept. 12-230


A Strike for Climate, Mobility and Equity- From Friday, Sept. 20, the first day of the Global Strike for Climate until Oct. 5th, when candidates for President from around the nation will be here for the Blue Jamboree held by the local Democratic Party, our coalition will demand local, state and national government respond to the problems destroying the quality of life for ordinary people here. This includes the 30th. Anniversary of Hurricane Hugo, marking a generation since Charleston ignored its first wakeup call on climate and lost thousands of affordable housing units. During the generation since, sprawl development and gentrification have ended downtown Charleston’s inherited model for civic and economic life.

We demand that the next 30 years of planning in the Lowcountry focus on three priorities as they impact the lives of working people”

Sustainable Community for All

Living Wage & Unions for All - Raising the minimum wage will benefit everyone in Charleston—working people, businesses, and the entire economy. Research shows about 684,000 South Carolina workers — or a third of the state’s workforce — would see their wages increase if a $15 federal minimum wage were adopted by 2025. Why Unions? Unions can bargain for the establishment of workplace environment committees that give workers real power to set sustainability benchmarks and to play an active role in the implementation. Unions can also demand that employers commit to specific environmental goals directly in their contracts.

Affordable housing for All - on high ground in safe areas constructed in a durable, sustainable fashion which reduces carbon impacts.

Mobility for All- A Transit and Transportation system linking those jobs and living areas efficiently so that people have the time and choice they need to live rewarding lives without being forced to buy and maintain a car. Road planning in which the focus is on serving areas inland, uphill and accessible to all. Reduce carbon impacts, congestion and injuries to transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists with complete streets. You can read our detailed response to the climate Strike in 12 calls to action, which cover 70 planned transit agenda items  (Currently open for public comment through Google Docs) online now: Achieve Transit Justice, Build BRT and Strengthen Bus Service. 

Our Shared Demand for Transit Equity-

As part of the general Lowcountry Climate Strike effort we've committed to support, "Achieve transit justice – Build BRT and strengthen bus service."  Our detailed demands for Transit Equity add actionable detail to the generalized statement. Please read, share and comment. We'll revise after the climate strike and publish to the candidates for president, state and local leaders at the Blue Jamboree and other public events in October. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IueWoN-ZDVPWLPKas2bc7UyThoi0L671/view?usp=sharing

Tentative Summary Schedule

Note- For more detailed information on CofC connected events, check the links and the new Facebook Group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/CharlestonClimateStrike/  Note that past events have been deleted and many wonderful events have already ended. Plans for a second major series of events are not being made, so come to the remaining activities on the schedule to get involved and help shape the future of the local effort. 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019 7-8 PM Climate Justice: Unequal Consequences College of Charleston RSS235 Omar Muhammad

Thur. Sept. 26, 5 to 6 pm- Dutch Dialogues Demonstration- Join a demonstration outside the Gaillard Center before the last event (6 to 7:30 pm) focused on dealing with flooding facilitated by experts from the Netherlands. Make sure the needs of people and their right to resources for the future aren’t forgotten. (On CARTA 210, 20, 1, 2, 3 & 4 Bus Lines) Facebook Sign up for this event. 

We'll be filling in the final twenty spaces left on the Community Commitment to Transit that evening. That's the massive petition (image right, Congressman Sanford should have taken it more seriously) we've circulated for three years to hold our politicians to their promise to build the transit system made before the referendum. We'll have a mini teach in and demand, again, somewhat louder, that CARTA return bus service to the beach instead of just waiting for the ocean to come to the nearest bus stop in about 40 years. We'll have a table and sign making supplies on site. Other groups and activists are welcome to join and bring up there issues.

Friday, September 27, 2019 1-2 PM- Beneficial Plants: Let Nature Reduce Bad Insects Dr. Linda Geronilla @ Pink House (Permaculture) Dr. Linda Geronilla

September 27, 2019 5:00-6:30 PM Climate Change and Mental Health: Caring for Ourselves and the Planet at the Same Time Dr. Jen Wright College of Charleston RSS 252*

Image, left, we celebration our referndum victory for the new transit system on Rivers Ave. November 2016)

Saturday, Sept. 28, Rapid Rivers Reactivation- Persephone Moulton Community Center, North Charleston, South Carolina, 1919 Robertson Blvd. N. Charleston. Activists will do outreach along Rivers Ave. in N. Charleston.  We'll be working bus stops, street corners and hanging door knobs in neighborhoods along the planned transit line. We need people to stuff outreach bags, which can be done sitting down in the shade. We need people to walk the streets before heading to the Candidates for N. Charleston. We need four rock solid activists to join our Go Forward SMAK team which will cover several neighborhoods. SMAK stands for Speedy Movement Allied for Komunity, its a very fast structured, radio and internet enabled outreach team, bring a backpack and waterbottle.)  Bag stuffing begins at 8 am. First team goes out at 8:30 pm. SMAK deploys at 10:00 am.

Saturday, Sept. 28 3 pm- N. Charelston Mayoral Forum- That afternoon we'll converge on the Mayoral forum  at 3:00 pm. at Mt. Moriah Church. Along #10 CARTA Bus line. Get tickets for N. Charleston Mayor's Forum. Transit and affordable housing are two of the three issues the forum will focus on.

Saturday, October 5 - Unions for All - We will join Fight for $15 under the banner of Unions for All as we stand together on a day of action and solidarity. We will begin the day at 9am on Rivers Ave-nue by standing with workers, followed by a charter bus ride and lunch as we travel to the Blue Jamboree located at The Bend in North Charleston. Don’t miss this unprecedented opportunity to unite the fights for environmental, racial and economic justice.
*This is a national media event, please wear your organization tee or bring your signs. We will have a brainstorm/sign-making party towards the end of September to tie in various issues. Tickets for the Blue Jamboree, lunch, and transportation are included. Contact Amanda @ (803) 322-3097 or amanda.robertson@thefightfor15.org to add your organization to the list.

Sat. October 5- Blue Jamboree- Confront candidates for President at this Democratic Party event with our local priorities as we face a rising cost of living, rising congestion and a rising ocean. . Fight for $15 is organizing an action for the living wage which will begin on River's Ave. on the #10 bus line and provide free entrance and lunch to the Blue Jamboree where participants will parade in. Once you are at the event, visit our yellow information booth in the village area, make a button and learn about our work which will continue. We'll also have some spare chairs because sometimes you have to rest.

This coalition effort involves many organizations with radically differing approaches to the challenge of climate change. Not all organizations agree on the details of policy or method. Please communicate directly with the individual organization for their precise position and policies. Planning for all of these events has been disrupted by the recent Hurricane and changes are to be expected. 

Coalition Supporters
Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit
Lowcountry Up is Good
Fight for $15 and and a Union

Hashtags
#climatestrike
#fridaysforfuture
#chstransit

#UnionsForAll

Tues. March 26- SC Safer “Complete Streets” Lobby Day and Hearing

Join transit, cycling and pedestrian safety advocates from across South Carolina for a day of action to help pass the Complete Streets Bill,  H. 3656 which would require the State Department of Transportation to adopt and apply a complete streets policy to all new roads constructed with its funding so that they’re safer for pedestrians, transit riders and cyclists. You can check the status of H 3656 on the Legislative Website.

Do Now

Ask your Representative  to cosponsor the H. 3656- You can find out who your representative is by using the Find Your Legislator Web page.  We'll be doing State Senators later in the process. 

Reserve your seat in the van going to Columbia. Most seats are free. Riding shotgun costs $50. You can also make donations. Get your seat now. Standby spots are available.  Download a printable flyer to share with all the details.

Rep. Marvin Pendavis has issued a press release on the legislation.

Contact your friends across the state online or better yet, on the phone and ask them to join us on Tues. March 26. You can download a flyer on the effort.

On Tues., March 26

Rep. Marvin Pendarvis

• 8:00 am- Van trip from Charleston. Meet in the parking lot of the Longshoreman’s Hall at 8:00 am or in the parking lot next to CARTA Superstop at 8:20 am for Trip to Columbia. You must RSVP to ride. A $10 contribution for gas and vehicle rent is requested.
• 12:00 noon – Meet with advocates from across South Carolina  inside the Statehouse under the dome in the Lobby. We’ll have “Transit Voter Stickers” and Information sheets for all participants. We’ll meet with legislators and other activists while the House is in session.
• 2 to 4 pm,  AFTER SESSION- We’ll testify at the hearing of the House Committee which will convene after the legislative session ends.
• COFFEE- Before returning to Charleston, we’ll meet with other activists from across the state to compare notes and plan our next steps. Return trip to Charleston will follow, Time TBD.

Afterwards

If the bill gets out of committee, it will go to the house for a vote. If the house votes to approve it before “crossover day” it will to the Senate to be considered.

More information
On the Bill, Contact Rep. Marvin Pendarvis

On the Trip and Grassroots Effort, Contact Best Friends of Lowcountry Tranist Executive Director, William Hamilton (843) 870-5299 or wjhamilton29464@gmail.com

Support Safer, Complete Streets for South Carolina

South Carolina, has some of the most dangerous roads in the United States for pedestrians, transit riders or cyclists. Charleston County has a rate of injuries about 3 times any other county in the state. Over the past weekend one pedestrian was killed and another critically injured on Charleston’s streets.

We can reduce this death and suffering by passing the Complete Streets Act H 3656, introduced by Representatives Marvin Pendarvis and JA Moore. Now cosponsored by Representative S. Williams, Garvin, Cogswell and Felder, its a bipartisan bill. H. 3656 which would require the State Department of Transportation to adopt and apply a complete streets policy to new roads and road improvement projects funded by the state. This would include sidewalks, transit stops and bike lanes. Attention to safe pedestrian crossings would be required. The level of facilities required would vary according to the location and type of road planned.

You can help pass this bill right now. Call the Legislative Council in Columbia at (803) 212-4500. Ask for the name of your State Representative and his phone number at the legislator. Phone their office and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor for H 3656 and ask for a call back. You can also use the Find Your SC Legislator page online and send an electronic message to your State Representative. 

While some of these deaths and injuries are the legal fault of the person hit, that makes little difference in the total cost of the injury. The injured still arrive at a local ER, often without insurance for treatment at a potential cost of hundreds or thousands or even millions of dollar with treatment and disability payments extending far into the future. Families lose a breadwinner. Employers lose the help they need for their businesses to function.

For the elderly person or disabled person who can’t cross a dangerous, busy street to get to the bus stop, it’s lost income to CARTA and the risk that bus service may be reduced or ended due to inadequate ridership.  Such Barriers llimit the ability of many  to get to work, senior citizens centers or medical treatment. Money which might support local business goes to Amazon.

Over 50 years after they were constructed, parts of Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Rivers Ave and Dorchester Road where there are no sidewalks. Hundreds of bus stops lack shelters, subjecting transit riders to humiliating waits for the bus in the rain and blistering heat in the summer. Bike lanes are absent throughout the state.

For a tourism focused economy like Charleston’s, the Grand Strand or Beaufort the cost in injury and death can be very high. The people who make our restaurants and hotels operate 24 hours a day are walking, biking and taking transit to work. They’re often out in the dark, in bad weather or in traffic full of frustrated visitors unaccustomed to our road networks. It’s a lethal combination. It places a cruel premium charged for working here on top of the modest wages they accept.

Please contact your State Representative today.

Information on H 3656 and four other bills to improve transit, increase road safety and make affordable housing more available in areas served by transit can be found at https://tinyurl/transitSC2019 online.

Additional Information.

Smart Growth America- Complete Streets Coalition, Plans and Policies
City Paper Editorial - How many people have to die before Charleston becomes safer for pedestrians and cyclists?
Post and Courier Report on Charleston's unsafe Streets.
City Paper Article on three of the Pedestrian & Cyclists Deaths in Charleston this year