Note: This story was updated on Aug. 23 to correct the first name of the CARTA CEO.
The leader of the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority told the Chattanooga City Council this week that he is working to address a lack of community consensus over what the agency should be doing.
Charles Frazier, appointed CARTA CEO in November, told council members that he and his staff will be meeting with leaders from across Hamilton County to build support and better understand how the agency can service residents inside and outside of the city.
Earlier this year the county pulled its funding for CARTA, a little more than $100,000, but Frazier told council members he has been in talks with Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, who he said is “looking for a reset” and wants to be more intentional about where county money goes.
The transit agency, funded with city dollars, federal grants, parking fees and bus fares, had a budget of $27.5 million in fiscal year 2024.