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Augusta transit under review as riders shift; city considers micro‑transit, route study and authority model
Summary
City staff and commissioners said the transit system requires service redesign and funding changes: the general fund subsidizes about $3 million a year and staff plan a route study and are exploring smaller vehicles, mobile fares and an authority model to unlock federal funding.
Augusta transit leaders and commissioners told the budget retreat that fixed‑route ridership has shifted and that the system currently receives about $3 million a year in local subsidies. Commissioners and staff described low boarding counts on some routes and said a consultant study will analyze routes, scheduling and vehicle mix.
“Right now the general fund gives $2,200,000 to transit,” Administrator (name not specified) said, adding an additional $837,000 from urban services for a combined local subsidy of roughly $3 million. Commissioners said they want to understand ridership geography and to remodel service to meet demand.
Transit director Miss Daughtry confirmed plans to release a request for proposals for a route study, with an RFP expected in July and work to begin late 2025. Commissioners and staff discussed micro‑transit and smaller vehicles as a way to reduce operating cost on low‑demand routes and to better serve dispersed populations in South Augusta.
On fare technology, commissioners noted the system’s current fareboxes do not support a phone‑based payment option. Staff said adopting mobile fares would require new equipment and investment but could increase convenience and ridership among younger riders.
There was also discussion of a transit authority model to manage operations and increase access to federal funding; staff said moving to an authority could broaden grant eligibility but would require structural and governance changes.
Ending: Staff will issue the RFP for the route study, continue conversations about micro‑transit pilots and provide commissioners with options and cost estimates for fare modernization and governance changes.
