‘This is not a one-man show’: Chatham Co. Commissioners contradict Chairman at CAT Bus press conference

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Days after Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis sent a letter notifying the Chatham Area Transit Authority it intends to end their public transportation agreement by June 30, 2026, several Commissioners say they were not aware the letter was going out.

“I had no clue a letter like that was going out,” said District Seven Commissioner Dean Kicklighter.

“I was not aware that the letter went out,” said District Four Commissioner Patrick Farrell.

The letter said CAT is not focused on community needs and criticized the agency’s emphasis on “the tourist economy and ferry system to the detriment of the local citizens.”

READ: Chatham County to end agreement with CAT for public transportation in the county

Chairman Chester Ellis said the county discovered instances of CAT riders being told their paratransit services would be cancelled. He said the county pays 100% for paratransit services designed to transport people with disabilities.

CAT’s board responded by calling the termination notice “an unnecessary, shortsighted, and cruel folly” and accused Ellis of taking frustrations over state legislation out on transit riders.

The dispute involves House Bill 756, which reduced the county’s representation on the CAT board. CAT said the county has refused to seat its three representatives on the board since July 1.

CAT said ending county support would result in route delays, suspensions and system-wide service reductions.

Chairman Ellis also alluded to the creation of an entirely new transit system.

“If that’s what it comes to that’s what it comes to,” Ellis said when asked.

Other commissioners also mentioned that this was a topic of conversation.

“It was stated loud and clear that we wanted to have some kind of backup in place before we ever notified anyone that we wanted to terminate a contract,” Kicklighter said.

There were no details of the potential system given by any commission members.

You can view the full interaction at the video above.