South Baldwin Transit Committee

The South Baldwin Transit Committee (SBTC) met on 27 June with representatives from South Alabama Regional Planning Commission (SARPC) to explore feasibility and protocols for developing an RFP to create a South Baldwin Transit District master plan. After considerable discussion of many alternatives the meeting reached a consensus that SARPC will conduct a meeting to which will be invited all stakeholders in the district’s transportation facilities development. All views will be aired, and from this SARPC will create an outline of developmental needs that can be used to create a scope of work. This, in turn, will become the basis of an RFP for a recognizably authoritative study resulting in a needs analysis. This study can then be employed to determine future action and to support fund-raising and legal authorizations.

The committee agrees that some means must be found to include tourist and transient numbers in determining eligibility for federal and state funding. A recent report to the Baldwin County Commission conservatively predicts a South Baldwin resident population of 78,386 by 2020, exceeding even the population of the Eastern Shore. The tourist and transient population, of course, will continue to outnumber residents by as many as five to one. This explosion in growth only adds fuel to the fire. We’ve got to get moving.

The next meeting will be held at the call of the Chair in consultation with SARPC.