May 19, 2013
News 12 at 11 o'clock / Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The city's public transportation system is priority number one for Augusta commissioners. Some say that Mobility Transit has failed. However, they don't know who should actually run the city's bus fleet.
"So it's time for the commissioners to get off their butt and do something," said bus rider Mable Evans.
Evans is one of the people depending on commissioners to get it right on public transportation.
"I've been riding this bus for five years. it's almost like a second home," she said.
Ebony Hastings has been riding the bus for a year.
"It's important to me because it's my way to get to and from where I'm going," Hastings said.
Augusta commissioners have gone round and round about the city's bus system and Mobility Transit. Now it seems they're close to making a decision.
"There's no excuse for the second largest city in the state of Georgia not to have a good public transit system," said Commissioner Bill Lockett.
"I think transit is a very important part of the city the community that we need so much, and we don't have that," said Commissioner Marion Williams.
City Administrator Fred Russell says there's got to be change in attitude toward transit.
"In the past, we've looked at it as a way for a limited number of people to get around," Russell said.
The city's days with Mobility Transit may be numbered. However, what happens to all the bus drivers and employees?
"They are closer to us than some of our family. They are a part of us, and we need them. I'd rather have the bus drivers than the commission," Evans said.
Solving this issue and solving it fast is one of the top priorities for the new commission.
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