Metropolitan Columbia, SC needs better public transportation option for commuters. The Comet formerly known as (C.M.R.T.A.) Central Midlands Regional Transportation Authority founded in 1993 by S.C.E.&G. has done a tremendous job at provided decent bus service to parts of the midlands but its limited and needs to be expanded. But Metro Columbia residents needs more or better options for public transit. We need a commuter rail system in Metropolitan Columbia as we are growing significantly and it will provide better competitiveness in retaining people and young talent. We have to band together and pressure our representatives and councilmen or women to get serious about public transit. As many South Carolinian are and actually use public transit to get around the city.

The task will be a hard struggle but I believe that it can be done. It doesn't matter about the time but its about planting the seeds for a better future for Columbia, SC and its metropolitan area. A study was done in 2006 for a future commuter rail but it never really hit the ground running.

We can use many cities as examples such as Denver, CO Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC. They have bus and rail systems that help many people get around efficiently. Denver Colorado the governor and citizens got the momentum together to plan to build over 100 miles of light/commuter rail and add more bus lines back in 2004 and they have successfully almost completed this vast public transit system. Metropolitan Columbia desperately needs this to become a economic powerhouse of the state. Its dozens of benefits public transit has and many people just don't see it here in Columbia, SC but if we get serious about this we can make it happen. Here are some below:

6 major benefits of public transit from ~TransLoc:

1.)Public transit users are more active

2.)Public Transit is safer then cars

3.)Public Transit reduces stress

4.)Public buses keep air clean

5.)Public transit saves money (over 6,000 a year for families)

6.)Public transportation provides access to essential needs later in life

If all South Carolinian's living in Metro Columbia come together a pressure our local governments and city councils, South Carolina Department of Transportation, and get our Governor behind getting a plan off the ground to devise and build commuter rail and expand our bus system in the midlands we can improve our economy and get people moving around in the Midlands more efficiently. Now the work begins to get this process started to ensure Columbia Metropolitan future in the global economy.