DAPHNE, Ala. — The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce held a joint work session with Spanish Fort and Daphne city leaders to discuss public transportation on Eastern Shore.

The joint meeting was called so that Eastern Shore cities could receive a transportation task force report.

With more growth in Baldwin County, that means more traffic out on the streets. “The public needs to let us know if they want public transportation,” Darrelyn Bender, chamber president and CEO, said. “The public is the biggest barrier. We need to also get the city’s support.”

The chamber is looking into future ways to implement changes and accommodate an influx of residents.

The business research task force had sent a survey to 60 Spanish Fort, Daphne and Fairhope residents to obtain statistics on each city. Approximately 40 responses were received, according to Kevin Tilsbury, of Gresham, Smith and Partners, a company  that delivers comprehensive planning services for highway and transit facilities. 

The primary company market for Spanish Fort includes mostly local customers with very few regional or national customer bases, according to the community survey.

Spanish Fort community strengths were also discussed during the meeting. High income, increased population, attractiveness, weather, growth, fewer taxes in Baldwin County versus Mobile County, increased networking opportunities and craft fair were all strengths, according to results.

Weaknesses discussed for Spanish Fort include slow infrastructure growth, a tough labor market and inability to find and keep good employees.

Workforce was one community barrier also discussed about the city.

“With the change in culture and gas prices, more people will probably consider public transportation,” Tilsbury said during his presentation.

A chamber-sponsored study  looked at the people who live, travel and have businesses here.

“The county is growing and as a result comes traffic growth and congestion,” Tilsbury said. “We provide options for those people who do not want to sit in traffic.”

Between 2000 and 2016, Baldwin County will receive an estimated 50 percent population increase, according to Tilsbury.

“If we have more public transportation we want it to be all day — not just from 8 to 5 — due to many having flexible schedules,” Tilsbury said.

A January survey of customers of Baylinc — public transportation from Baldwin to Mobile, established last year —  said that half the people riding used it every day to get to work, according to Tilsbury. “It’s a very popular service.”

“With the increase in gas prices come the increased willingness for public transportation,” Tilsbury said. “You have to build momentum to get this service.”

Some of the steps needed to further plans for more public transportation in Baldwin County comes in three classifications, according to Tilsbury. The first step, “crawl,” includes hiring a transit coordinator and work to establish CommuteSmart, a service that helps find carpool partners and assist with ridematching. The CommuteSmart program is already active in Mobile. The next step, “walk,” will include initiating a fixed route service. The final step, “run,” would involve full implementation of fixed-route service.

The proposed financial commitment to implement the plan would include $0 to start, but would require approximately $200,000 annually for stage one, according to a report. Stage two would include a $2.6 million and $5.3 million for stage three.

Local commitment for Spanish Fort would be $0, to start, but $40,000 annually for stage one. Stage two initially would require $500,000, to start, and $1.2 million annually. Stage three to start would be $3.5 million and $2.5 million annually.

Federal grants can cover up to 50 percent. Fares and state services can cover 10 to 20 percent.

More information on public transportation can be found at eschamber.com.