Buses
If we want to revitalize downtown, it needs to be easy to get downtown.
That isn’t always the case now.
Brunswick is a small city, but not that small. It’s a steep mile to walk to City Hall from my house at the top of 5th Ave—and for about half of that distance there aren’t any sidewalks. Galyn Manor and Brunswick Crossing are, practically speaking, outside of walking distance.
Brunswick’s geography also makes things difficult. Those hills discourage a return trip on foot or by bike, especially in the summer heat. The hilly terrain, the railroad, and the canal also limit the area available for expanding downtown parking.
So, it’s often necessary to drive, but tricky to park. That suggests Brunswick might benefit from a bus.
It’s often necessary to drive, but tricky to park. That suggests Brunswick might benefit from a bus.
We aren’t entirely without one: the county’s TransIT Brunswick-Jefferson shuttle makes a few stops in Brunswick four times a day during the week and twice on Saturdays. But it is gone for long stretches due to the fact that it goes out to Jefferson and then back to Frederick on each circuit.
An internal Brunswick route could fill those gaps. It could have stops at Brunswick Crossing, the Brunswick Shopping Center, the library, the post office, the Dollar General, downtown, City Park, the Medical Center, the Sports Complex, and Galyn Manor. It could provide an easy way around town for everybody, but it would be particularly useful for people who don’t have all-day access to a car, such as some seniors, teenagers, and families with only one car. It would also relieve pressure on parking as our city grows.
That said, establishing a city route would require a substantial up-front cost and a long-term maintenance commitment. It might not be the right solution at the moment. But as Brunswick’s population increases, a dedicated route might become more viable and beneficial. That might also make the county more amenable to expanding its service here to include more frequent trips within Brunswick in addition to the shuttles out to Jefferson and Frederick.
I can’t promise a Brunswick bus. But, as a City Councilman, I would like to explore the possibilities for getting one.