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Commissioners hear calls for improved regional transit; administration plans ridership study and RFP
Summary
A resident urged the commission to expand and modernize public transit and pursue reciprocity with neighboring counties. The administration said it will issue an RFP for a ridership study and noted the city currently subsidizes transit by about $1.6 million annually.
A citizen speaker and several commissioners urged Augusta‑Richmond County officials to expand public transit service and pursue reciprocal regional routes, while city staff said an RFP for a ridership study will be issued to realign services to current demand.
Brian Green, a resident and transit advocate, told the commission that a modern, reciprocal transit system linking neighboring counties and major job centers would produce measurable economic returns and better serve residents who lack reliable transportation. “We can have an express system that goes to Waynesboro,” Green said, adding that properly marketed routes and targeted service can boost ridership and economic activity.
Mayor and commissioners discussed concerns raised by residents about safety and neighborhood impacts; speakers rejected the idea that transit causes crime and emphasized the mobility needs of workers. Several commissioners supported further study of options including express routes and regional reciprocity.
Administration response and next steps: the city administrator said demand for service has shifted toward South Augusta and that the city will pursue a ridership study to align routes with demographic changes. “Right now, the city actually supplements transit $1,600,000 a year,” the administrator said, and added that staff will issue an RFP for a study to inform route and resource decisions. The administrator also directed the public to contact Transit Director Daughtry to coordinate ideas and potential partnerships.
Why it matters: commissioners noted that public transit affects access to jobs and economic development and that technological upgrades — such as mobile ticketing — could increase ridership. Commissioner Tina Slendak urged the system to adopt mobile ticketing to remove barriers for younger riders who are less likely to use cash or paper tickets.
No formal action: the presentation and discussion were part of the delegation and comment portion; commissioners asked staff to proceed with a ridership study and explore technology and partnership options.
