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Staff File Photo by John Rawlston
A CARTA bus travels south in the 800 block of Market Street in this file photograph taken in the summer of 2007.
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority will hold a public hearing on July 10 to discuss proposed budget cuts for the financially strapped transit agency.
CARTA, facing a 2009 fiscal year budget shortfall of at least about $1 million, will have to consider cutting evening, Saturday and Sunday fixed route bus service, closing its electric shuttle service or some combination of the two, said Tom Dugan, the agency’s executive director.
He said a fourth option may include raising revenue, although he acknowledged that it would be very difficult to reap the needed money through channels such as more advertising and sponsorships.
CARTA is facing budget constraints as fuel prices continue to soar.
See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.
I rarely ride the CARTA bus, except to go downtown on rare occasions, but I would hate to see the free electric shuttle service be discontinued. It is energy-efficient a a real gemstone for other cities to follow. It also promote tourism downtown. I would rather see fares increased by a quarter than to cut this service. Also, service to the North Hixson (Middle Valley, Dallas Bay) area is badly needed and would be utilized to a great degree which would make it a profitable route.
As of now the bus only goes as far north as Northgate Shopping Mall.
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