On Tuesday, January 5, Greenlink welcomed 20 participants to its third annual Citizens Transit Academy, a free, six-week program designed to offer Greenville County residents a unique opportunity to learn about public transportation and the opportunities and challenges facing Greenlink. Due to COVID-19, all classes will be held virtually this year.
According to James Keel, Greenlink’s director of public transportation, the program attracted a diverse pool of applicants, including Greenlink bus riders, government employees and health and human service providers. “We were concerned that our inability to host the Citizens Transit Academy in person would deter people from participating, so we’re excited that there is so much interest in learning about transportation,” said Keel. “Graduates from the 2019 and 2020 programs have been valuable partners in our efforts to engage the community in conversations about the role of public transit, so we’re very pleased to offer the Citizens Transit Academy again in 2021.”
The virtual classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
2021 Class Schedule
January 5: Introductions, CTA overview and Greenlink services
January 12: Operations and safety, Transit Center tour and Greenlink’s new technology
January 19: Finances, capital needs and maintenance facility tour
January 26: Service change procedures, bus stops and route planning
February 2: Transit Development Plan and other community efforts
February 9: Group takeaways and graduation
Graduates of the Citizens Transit Academy will be recognized as knowledgeable representatives for public transit and encouraged to serve in leadership roles and seek opportunities to facilitate discussions about the importance of mobility.
2021 Class Participants
Caroline Aneskievich
Emily Armes
April Barksdale
Shawn Bell
Louise Colston
Amy Connor
Hillary Halpern
Alexina Hargrove
Alexandra Harris
Lisa Lark
Nancy Lester
Griffin Mills
Alan Mitchell
Rex O’Steen
Jamel Pinson
Eric Richey
Stephen Shelato
Andrew Shoun
Keyuna Smith
Brad Staub
