Featured Painting of CAT bus by Savannah-based artist Julia Licht
The Chatham Area Transit Authority typically holds their regular meetings at 4 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
The agenda for the Aug. 25 meeting is not available to view.
Meetings can be viewed live on CAT’s YouTube page at: https://www.youtube.com/ChathamAreaTransit.
CAT NEWS/BRIEFS
CAT approves service changes, $7.9M, three-year agreement for fare-free shuttle
The Chatham Area Transit Authority on July 28 approved a three-year, roughly $7.9 million agreement with the city of Savannah for the fare-free DOT shuttle service. Board member Aaron “Adot” Whitely, who is also a county commissioner, raised concerns about committing to a long-term contract while CAT faces driver shortages and service reductions elsewhere. CEO Stephanie Cutter said the city pays the operating and capital costs, the agreement delays enforcement of performance standards for six months and CAT would work with the city if it could not meet the required service levels. The measure passed despite three opposing votes from Whitely, John Taylor, a Chatham County appointee, and Richard Lassiter, a Garden City Council representative.
In addition, the CAT board approved service changes affecting Routes 3, 3B, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 25, 28 and 31. The data-driven changes are intended to improve service reliability by reducing service during periods of lower ridership and reallocating resources to higher-demand periods.
CAT proposes summer schedule changes to improve reliability, driver breaks
Chatham Area Transit is proposing summer schedule changes intended to improve reliability, give drivers adequate breaks and better match service with ridership. The plan, as presented during a July 16 meeting, would add layover time on six routes, restore 15-minute intervals on the city-funded DOT shuttles, shift some all-day buses to peak-period service and eliminate selected low-ridership trips on Routes 3B, 4, 6, 11, 12 and 28 without eliminating the routes themselves. Route 28 would also begin serving Hodgson Memorial Drive in both directions. CAT officials said the changes are considered minor and will be advertised for 30 days before implementation.
CAT board approves $41.9M budget for fiscal 2027
The Chatham Area Transit board unanimously approved a $41.86 million operating budget for fiscal year 2027 on June 30 after reducing projected revenues and expenditures by $213,894 to reflect the loss of CAT’s contract to provide transit service in Port Wentworth beginning Jan. 1. The budget also assumes Chatham County will continue funding paratransit service after CEO Stephanie Cutter said the county manager confirmed the service was not cut from the county’s budget. The board also adopted a $19.3 million five-year capital plan that includes funding for replacement buses, farebox equipment, bus stop improvements, ferry rehabilitation and information technology upgrades.
June 23, 2026 – Chatham Area Transit unveiled a proposed $42.1 million operating budget for fiscal year 2027 that relies in part on new advertising and naming-rights revenue, drawing criticism from two speakers, along with three residents who submitted written comments, who said wrapping buses and adding digital advertising at bus shelters would detract from Savannah’s historic character. The budget funds fixed-route and paratransit service, maintenance, administration and a $19.3 million capital program that includes a third ferry, vehicle replacements, farebox upgrades, bus stop improvements and IT upgrades. The board took no action on the proposal, with final adoption scheduled for June 30.
CAT board moves to sell naming rights, bus wraps, digital ads
On May 26, the Chatham Area Transit Authority approved a new naming rights policy Tuesday aimed at generating additional revenue through sponsorships tied to transit facilities, ferries and other agency assets such as bus stops, while also amending the policy to prohibit naming rights for living individuals. In addition, the CAT board approved revisions to its advertising policy Tuesday that open the door for expanded bus wraps, paid interior advertisements and digital signage as part of an effort to create additional non-fare revenue.
LATEST CAT POSTS
- Chatham rejects Port Wentworth’s transit plans
- Port Wentworth seeking to join CAT tax district
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- Chatham Area Transit Reports Projected $8.4M Budget Deficit for FY27
- Chatham Area Transit Authority Names Stephanie Cutter Chief Executive Officer