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Council adds microtransit pilot to midyear budget; approves streetscape and other amendments
Summary
Council approved a midyear budget amendment that included $170,000 for a microtransit pilot, funding for Burlington streetscape and park improvements, and other allocations; the microtransit item prompted lengthy public testimony and debate about CAT staffing and program reliability before passing 8–1.
Knoxville City Council approved a midyear budget amendment that includes a $170,000 allocation to initiate a microtransit pilot program, funding to advance the Burlington Streetscape project and investments in parks and nonprofit partnerships. The amendment passed 8–1 after public testimony from transportation and social-service advocates and a debate about readiness and operations for on-demand transit.
Justice Knox and service providers framed microtransit as a lifeline for residents without reliable cars. Dr. Catherine Ellis of Family Promise described clients who lost housing prospects because of broken or unreliable vehicles and told council that on-demand transit could restore access to work and services. "With micro transit, this family could have taken steps to get work, to get housing, and to better their lives," she said.
Opponents or cautious council members raised operational concerns about CAT (Central Area Transit) staffing, the stability of current services and unionized drivers. Councilmember Parker urged that any microtransit plan be coordinated with CAT drivers and union representatives to avoid creating a lower-paid labor tier that undermines existing services. Administration staff and Metro Drug Coalition representatives said the microtransit line item is to establish a working group and begin a pilot; Metro Drug Coalition also received a separate resolution (12u) to hire a youth prevention specialist funded by beer-fine proceeds (up to $75,000 annually).
Councilmember votes showed strong support: the budget amendment passed 8–1. The administration said the microtransit effort will proceed through a working group that includes council representation, CAT staff and transportation planning partners and will pursue additional state/federal prevention and transportation funding to scale pilot activities.
