Red Bank readies $30,000 agreement with CARTA to continue paratransit service

City of Red Bank staff presented a resolution to enter a service agreement with the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) that would budget $30,000 to continue subsidized paratransit service for eligible residents. The proposed agreement would run from Jan. 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, with automatic renewal and discretionary termination provisions.

The service continues a multiyear effort that began with a Section 5310 grant that funded a three‑year pilot, which finished June 30. Under the proposed contract, riders would pay a $3.50 fare and the city would pay the balance for trips taken by Red Bank residents. The city plans to pay from its state street aid fund; staff said the $30,000 is well below the statutory cap for using state street aid for mass transit. Hamilton County officials are also contributing: county funding of $9,180 was described as subsidizing the first 612 trips by $15.

Scott Wilson, CARTA chief of staff, praised the partnership and described the service as helping “your citizens who have paratransit needs” to reach work, groceries and medical care. Mark Horne, CARTA director of paratransit, and city staff described operational details and said CARTA will continue to operate and bill for trips under the proposed agreement.

City staff framed the agreement as a transition from grant‑funded pilot to a locally funded, sustainable service. Staff said the cost allocation and rider fare are spelled out in the interlocal and service policy documents provided in the work session packet. No formal commission vote was recorded in the work session; the resolution and service agreement were presented for approval at the regular meeting or future session.

If adopted, the agreement would maintain door‑to‑door service options for seniors (65+) and people with disabilities who qualify under CARTA’s paratransit policy. City staff said the arrangement is intended to keep trips affordable while building a stable patron base and joint funding with neighboring jurisdictions.

Commissioners and CARTA staff emphasized that continued operation depends on sustained funding and interjurisdictional cooperation, and county support was highlighted as part of that funding mix.

Questions or next steps: the commission was asked to approve the resolution authorizing the agreement; staff noted the final contract and cost breakdown are in the work session packet and that the city’s contribution would be budgeted from state street aid in the public works department.