Coast RTA proposes alterations to busy area

  • 2015-08-29
Coast RTA is thinking of making changes to one of its busiest routes, that between Myrtle Beach and Conway.

The changes are being contemplated because of the traffic congestion on U.S. 501.

The agency made a slight change to the route in June, shifting the bus that ran on Postal Way over to Carolina Forest Boulevard. The contemplated new route will still run on Postal Way, all the way to Oakheart Road, and then cut west to Glenforest Road, which runs parallel to U.S. 501.

From there, the new route would go through Tanger Outlet before it rejoins U.S. 501 at Waccamaw Pines Drive. Coast's general manager, Brian Piascik, notes that the change will put 80% of the bus route on Postal Way and Glenforest Road, leaving 20% of the route on U.S. 501, creating a reversal of the current percentages.

Piascik said the new route has already made a big difference. The company's on-time performance has greatly improved, as has the safety aspect of the operation. Coast's street supervisor, Al D'Andrea, said the new route could cut transportation times up to 12 minutes. He attributed the faster travel times to a difference in the traffic lights the bus would encounter, and echoes Piascik's opinion that the new route is safer.

Coast RTA could work with brochure printers to create a new schedule for the new route.