Send New private Augusta transit managers admit 'learning curve,' face breach of contract charges

Posted: 3:31 PM Apr 16, 2012
Reporter: Chris Thomas

Click to play video

News 12 at 6 o'clock / Monday, April 16, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- It has been a bumpy ride for for the new private managers of Augusta Transit. The man in the driver's seat calls it growing pains, but others call it bad business. Some commissioners say the contract fails to hold Mobility Transit accountable.

Mobility managers went before commissioners months after News 12 uncovered the city paying the private company's bills. The company blamed a miscommunication with their corporate office.

"I'm sorry," said Mobility General Manager Michael Rosson. "I apologize for the undue stress."

A memo is now surfacing detailing employee shortages within the department. The company has fallen below the 72 employees promised in their contract.

"We commissioners are making a mockery of this government," said Commissioner Alvin Mason. "This is a bad contract."

Rosson admits they had issues.

"Every company goes through a learning curve and bumps in the road," Rosson said.

Mobility has admitted to being six drivers short and between other staffing challenges some are crying breach of contract.

"They are definitely in breach of their contract," said Augusta Commissioner Bill Lockett. "Now whether we are going to terminate their contract ... I don't have the slightest idea."

Commissioner Grady Smith is not ready to kick the company to the curb.

"I don't like to say that. It's like a marriage," Smith said. "Sometimes you can get to a counselor and if you get to the right one, you can fix things. Sometimes he'll say you all need to get the hell away from each other."

Commissioner Alvin Mason says the city is partially to blame for the bumps.

"The bottom line is private industry does not write the contract," said Mason, who says the city needs to take another stab at close-to-300-page contract to clarify the rules of the road. "I just can't allow them to run rampant the way that they have been doing."

The general manager blames the company executives.

Commissioners plan to have a specially-called legal meeting tomorrow to address this contract.

WRDW I 12 On Your Cell Home

Gray Television, Inc - Copyright 2002-2012 - Powered by Gray Interactive Media

Full Site - Contact Us