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 July 28 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 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
- Disabling Transit – Chatham, CAT spat continues over funding, leadership
- Chatham Area Transit Reports Projected $8.4M Budget Deficit for FY27
- Chatham Area Transit Authority Names Stephanie Cutter Chief Executive Officer