Taking the Long Way Home: Public Transportation in Small US Cities

Public transportation in the United States is not known for its effectiveness, and this issue is often worse in small urban settings than in large cities. In two small settings — Greenville, South Carolina and Chapel Hill, North Carolina — the quality of the public transportation seems to differ widely, with Chapel Hill having a relatively robust bus system while Greenville's is much less useful to the general public. Through an investigation of the two systems, their respective services, and their respective roles in their communities, I seek to determine why this discrepancy exists. Ultimately, the most important difference appears to be the presence of the University of North Carolina and a comparatively greater public willingness to fund transportation in Chapel Hill. Despite various barriers, Greenville's buses have improved significantly and will likely continue to do so. These systems demonstrate the wide range of goals, priorities, and areas for improvement that are emblematic of public transportation in the United States as a whole, and they could serve as models for other small cities seeking to improve or begin service for their residents.