Due to constraints on CARTA’s budget for the next fiscal year, many improvements to public transit services in Chattanooga have been left unfunded.
Charles Frazier, who started as the CEO of the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority in January, said in an interview the lack of funding means there will be no improvements to transit technology and route frequency.
“There’s not going to be an expansion in fixed route service hours,” Frazier said. “No increased frequency. No regional service. No unified app development this year. No expansion of infrastructure.”
While most of CARTA’s revenue is generated through its own fares from parking, fixed routes and the Incline Railway, the transit agency also relies on contributions from local governments, but that funding is largely absent or stagnant.