Members of the Transit Citizens Advisory Committee and disability-service advocates addressed the commission before the budget vote to urge against proposed cuts to Augusta Public Transit (APT).

Denise Traina, identified at the meeting as chair of the Transit Citizens Advisory Committee, said shrinking APT’s budget would “harm the very same folks that you said you wanted to serve,” and reminded the commission that APT brought "over $14,000,000 to Augusta in 2024" in grant funding. She and others emphasized that APT has expanded ADA compliance work and used grant funds to upgrade stops and shelters but that ongoing operational funding is limited.

Brian Mosley and Lisa Sistar Harkins — both with Walton Options for Independent Living — described clients who rely on weekend service and accessible stops and asked commissioners to reconsider any cuts that would reduce weekday frequency or force longer waits. Administrator Allen later clarified that the administration’s proposed reductions would not eliminate Saturday service but would reduce double-bus coverage on certain routes during the weekday, doubling headways on those corridors.

Advocates asked the commission to weigh the human impacts of reduced frequency and longer waits: access to medical appointments, work and grocery trips is dependent on reliable transit. Commissioners thanked the delegation and said staff would provide clear information about what the transit revisions mean for routes and headways as the budget work continues.

Ending: Transit advocates will have additional opportunities to present during the follow-up budget session; staff has been asked to circulate precise service-impact information before Dec. 2.