Greenwood County Begins Transit Agreement; Other USCOG Counties Exploring Options

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Greenwood County residents living within a 2.5-mile radius of the County Courthouse now have a new transportation option.
Public transportation service is available to anyone of any age within the service area for a fee. Approved trips include medical/doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, and pharmacy visits. Trips must be reviewed and approved at least one day before travel.
Greenwood County has contracted with McCormick Area Transit (MAT) to provide transit services.
A ribbon cutting (pictured here) was held July 19 at the Greenwood County Courthouse to commemorate launching of the services which began July 1, 2021. S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Secretary Christy Hall, Third District SCDOT Commissioner Pamela Christopher, and members of Greenwood County Council, Greenwood City Council, Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce, and MAT were among those who participated in the ribbon cutting.
Transportation discussions with Greenwood County, MAT, SCDOT, Upper Savannah COG, the health care community and other stakeholders have been ongoing for quite some time.
“After many years of review and discussion, I’m glad to see Greenwood County take this important step,” said USCOG Government Services Director Rick Green, who has helped host some of these meetings.
“I would eventually like for coverage to be extended county-wide and for new public transit opportunities to be developed in other USCOG counties,” Green said.
SCDOT will contribute $150,000 into the transportation agreement each year for three years. Greenwood County must match DOT’s contribution with $150,000 each year.
USCOG has recommended to the SCDOT Commission approval of two additional vans for MAT to use for this expanded service.
Abbeville County is awaiting news on a potential federal transit grant that would help it begin to develop a transit system there. USCOG has also applied for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) COVID related assistance funds to provide temporary transit service in Saluda County. Abbeville, Laurens, and Saluda remain among the last six counties in the state without public transit availability.
To request a ride or for more information Contact MAT at: Greenwood (864) 538-4500 or McCormick (864) 852-6655 or e-mail at mattrans@mcsc-mat.org.