The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority DBA Palmetto Breeze by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).  The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. 

An award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been awarded to the individual(s), department or agency designated by the government as primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR.  This has been presented to:

                        Rochelle Ferguson, Executive Director

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “sprit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL and Washington, DC.

The Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority is the region’s public transportation provider and operates as Palmetto Breeze.  The five counties of Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper encompass the service area.  The LRTA was established in 1978.  For more information about us, please visit our website at www.palmettobreezetransit.com

On March 28, 2012, the Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors held elections for the executive officers.  Mr. Richard “Dick” H. Stewart representing Beaufort County was elected to serve as Chairman and Mr. David Blauch a representative from Colleton County was elected to serve as Vice Chairman. 

Mr. Stewart has an MBA from Mercer University.  He currently serves on the Board of the Port Royal Sound Foundation.  Mr. Stewart served previously as a Beaufort County Council Member, Board Chairman of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, Board Chair of the LowCountry Economic Network, Board Member of Main Street Beaufort, Beaufort County Open Land Trust, and Technical College of the LowCountry Foundation.  Mr. Stewart retired from wireless communications and returned to Beaufort County in 1998.   

Mr. Blauch received his MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia.  He is a retired Engineering/Maintenance Manager.  Mr. Blauch presently resides on beautiful Edisto Beach.  Mr. Blauch is involved in numerous community organizations including the Planning Commission for the Town of Edisto Beach, the Edisto Island Mission Builders Team, UMCOR Emergency Relief Team volunteer, volunteer for the Edisto Beach State Park Turtle Patrol, Edisto Town Beach Turtle Patrol volunteer, Learning thru Loggerheads Program volunteer, on the Board of FRESPACE currently serving as Treasurer, Edisto Island Open Land Trust member and volunteer, Edisto Island Historical Preservation Society member and volunteer, Secretary of the Edisto Island Lions Club, and is a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, Edisto Island, currently serving on the Vestry.

Ms. Jenny Carter and Mr. Chris Hutton had previously served as Chairperson and Vice Chairman respectively and we wish to thank them for their many years of dedicated service to the Board of Directors.

The Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority is the region’s public transportation provider and operates as Palmetto Breeze.  The five counties of Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper encompass the service area.  The LRTA was established in 1978.  For more information about us, please visit our website at www.palmettobreezetransit.com.

The Lowcountry Council of Governments and Palmetto Breeze were recently awarded the full requested amount of $124,480 from the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative Grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Labor, to increase veterans’ and active military personnel and their families’ access to information about local transportation services that are available in the region through the use of technology and through the one call/one click mobility information center housed at Palmetto Breeze. We will keep you informed on the development! For more information about the grant go to: http://fta.dot.gov/grants/13094_13528.html

"The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is conducting a study to determine the level of intercity bus needs in the State of South Carolina.  This information will be used to develop a successful statewide intercity bus network and to determine how the SCDOT can best distribute federal funding to fund those services.

Intercity bus service is defined as "Regularly scheduled bus service for the general public which operates with limited stops over fixed routes connecting two or more urban areas not in close proximity, has the capacity of transporting baggage carried by passengers, and makes meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant points, if such service is available." Greyhound is an example of a provider of intercity bus service.

To assist in the planning process, you are requested to complete an on-line survey that will provide the SCDOT with valuable information about your transportation needs. You may access the survey at: 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VHSX3VW

Your information is confidential and will only be used for the purpose described above.

For more information please contact:

Susan Richards, Tel: 800-670-4737  Email: or Gaye Sprague, Tel: 864-242-3106   Email: "

 

Be Prepared for Emergencies
The Palmetto Breeze public transit system has created a web based transportation registry in partnership with the Beaufort County emergency preparedness plan.  Beaufort County residents may register for emergency transportation assistance in the event of an evacuation or other emergency.  This registry is for Beaufort County residents that would require assistance with transportation to a shelter during an emergency or evacuation.  Beaufort County residents can enroll by going to the Palmetto Breeze website at www.palmettobreezetransit.com.  Once at the website, click on Inside the Breeze, then click Hurricane Evacuation Information (or click on any of the Hurricane Evacuation icons).  The transportation registry link is located there as well as frequently asked questions and other important information about Emergency Preparedness.  Feel free to contact Rochelle Ferguson at or 843-757-5782 for additional information.

As always, stay tuned to the local news stations for the most up to date information regarding any type of emergency.

Get Connected

Palmetto Breeze has created a Community Resource Directory on the Palmetto Breeze website.  Information regarding local, regional, and state human service agencies and other resources are available by going to www.palmettobreezetransit.com.  Once at the website, click on Community Resource Book on the left.  Listings are alphabetical and are also searchable by category.  If you wish to have a listing added or would like to revise information presently listed, please feel free to send an email to Rochelle Ferguson at .

Palmetto Breeze on Facebook

Palmetto Breeze Transit is now on Facebook at facebook.com/palmettobreezetransit.  The company’s new social media site is a place where customers can learn more about the company and receive the latest information about Palmetto Breeze.