Chatham Area Transit services back at risk of losing crucial funding

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Public transportation in Savannah is once again at major risk of losing crucial funding from the county.

This comes after State Senator Derek Mallow met with Chatham County commissioners in December to try to remedy issues with the county’s transit services.

“Catch a CAT” is the trendy saying for Chatham Area Transit, but the potential for critical funding to be pulled is back. It’s all because of a lack of support from the Georgia General Assembly on changes that the county commission says are necessary.

“This office. The county commission. It’s creating problems for us,” said Chester Ellis, Chatham County Commission chairman.

Thirty-three days ago, it seemed that issues between Chatham Area Transit and the county commission would be resolved. Commission chairman Chester Ellis said that he and State Senator Derek Mallow had worked toward a solution to reverse a law that restructured CAT’s board to reduce the county’s representation on it.

Now, though, Ellis feels that Mallow might be fighting a losing battle.

“I don’t think it’s gonna be done,” said Ellis. “Two or three of the commissioners told me they think it’s off the table, that he’s not gonna be able to carry it through because he’s not going to get the support he needs to carry it through.”

The plan Ellis and Mallow made would have silenced a threat to pull critical funding from CAT and halted their legal battle, which has included lawsuits.

However, Ellis and CAT chairman Detric Leggett say they have started to try to fix these problems together, having an off-the-record conversation without any lawyers present.

“We wanted to find out chairman to chairman to find some common ground because at the end of the day we want to make sure that it’s about the riders and it’s about the citizens of this county, and we’re going to be able to service with the money that they contribute to making sure we have good transportation,” said Detric Leggett, CAT chairman.

Ellis outlined some issues he wants to go over with the board. He mentioned faster bus routes for those further away from the city and serving areas where they’re lacking. However, he said that these issues aren’t “rocket science.”

“Cause I’m not saying CAT is doing everything wrong,” said Ellis. “Some things they’re doing are correct, but there is a grip among the county citizens of public transportation not meeting the needs of people who need it in Chatham County.”

Leggett says he heard these complaints and that they now plan to start working together.

“I think it’s a conversation, it’s a miscommunication in certain areas, but I do believe that both sides have some ground that they can give,” said Leggett.

Both groups say they’re waiting to clear these legal battles with each other, but that maintaining order and keeping people able to “catch a CAT” is the main priority.

The legislative session begins less than a week from now, January 12th. If Derek Mallow’s proposed changes to the CAT board are denied like Ellis believes, that’s when we’ll see if the claws come out on either side.