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KTA formalizes Downtown Connector route and retains fare-free service after unanimous votes
Summary
The KTA voted unanimously to make a temporary Downtown Connector detour permanent and to continue a fare-free pilot that staff said has produced more than 6,000 additional rides since December. The board also discussed event shuttles and next steps for operations.
The KTA voted unanimously to make the Downtown Connector detour along Summer Place to Covenant Health Park a permanent route and to continue operating the service fare-free.
Director Thorne told commissioners the detour had been used for six weeks during event periods and that making the change permanent reduces confusion for passengers and operations staff. "It makes a whole lot of sense for us to move toward making this permanent, where we're not constantly moving back and forth from regular out to detour," Thorne said.
Commissioners asked about service during events at Covenant Health Park; Thorne said Covenant Health Park pays for additional shuttles and that the baseline Downtown Connector typically runs three buses to provide roughly 15-minute service, with two extra buses added on many Fridays and Saturdays for events such as today's Savannah Bananas game.
A commissioner moved to approve the route modification and another seconded; the motion carried. The chair then took a separate motion to adopt the fare-free recommendation for the Downtown Connector. Thorne said the pilot, which began Dec. 1, has produced "an increase in ridership over 6,000 rides since we started this program," and staff had aimed for a target around 11,000–12,000 rides as a continued goal. The board voted to continue the fare-free status.
Motions and votes at the meeting were handled by commissioners present; the chair announced the approvals after each unanimous vote. The board set no additional conditions tied to either approval during the session. The next KTA meeting was set for June 25.
The actions will become part of operating procedures for the Downtown Connector and, per staff comments, event shuttles will continue when sponsors pay for additional service.
