City Buses Roll out of Debt

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — A two-year, $3.6 million debt that consumed the Midlands’ public transit system, CMRTA, and threatened to cancel bus service altogether, is no longer an issue, according to officials. That’s good news to riders who say they depend on the bus system daily. Officials with the City of Columbia, Richland County, the state, the federal government and Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, CMRTA, announced that a recent collaboration among the entities canceled the $3.6 million debt that had threatened to discontinue all bus routes. It’s part of what leaders call ‘Balanced Budget Service Implementation Plan.’ It goes into effect May 14. Once in effect, the following will occur, according to CMRTA Executive Director, Dr. Bob Schnieder: “The amended plan avoids mid-day shutdown of services Monday-Friday; keeps buses running until 7:30 at night instead of 6:15 and 6:30; and it continues to offer Saturday services where the old plan completely ended weekend services.” Sunday services will be canceled, beginning in May. However, officials say that’s a small price to pay to keep the buses rolling six days a week. For more information, you can visit www.goCMRTA.com.