Citizens Show Up to Oppose Night Bus Cuts

It took Beth Terral more than a year to find her new job at Georgia Square Mall.  On July 1, she may have to start job hunting again. 

Terral was one of about 15 people who showed up to a public hearing Thursday afternoon on Mayor Nancy Denson's proposal to eliminate bus service countywide after 6:45 pm.  Denson's proposal is part of her released last week.

For Terral, that means she won't be able to get home when her shift is done. She doesn't have a car, and a taxi ride from the mall to her East Side home is a financial burden she can't bear. 

“It's exorbitant,” she said. “The cheapest cab ride I've found is $15.” 

Athens Transit Director Butch McDuffie stood in front of the small group at the Multimodal Transportation Center and fielded questions from Terral and other concerned citizens, many of whom came to the meeting on an Athens Transit bus. 

According to McDuffie, Athens Transit is facing a budget shortfall of $400,000. Night ridership represents about 3% of total rides, but 11% of the agency's budget. 

“We looked at everything,” McDuffie said. “Night service is the most expensive service we provide on a per-passenger basis. We do fewer rides in a month [of night service] than we do in one day of regular service.” 

Several of those at the meeting suggested charging nighttime riders a higher fare, raising fares across the board, or charging the University of Georgia more for its contract with Athens Transit. 

Athens Transit is required to hold public hearings on any proposed reduction in service. Thursday afternoon's meeting was the first of four scheduled on this issue. The agency will also have public hearings on Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m., and on Thursday, June 2 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. All public hearings will be held at the Multimodal Transportation Center. 

The final decision on whether to eliminate night bus service rests with the Mayor and Commission, who will vote on Denson's proposed budget at their June 7 meeting.