CAT board discusses reducing Savannah Belles Ferry services amid $1 million shortfall

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - All aboard the Savannah Belles Ferry, but where the next stop is, when riders will get there and how many boats will be transporting people could change in the future.

A reduction in services for the Savannah Belles Ferry was discussed at Chatham Area Transit’s board meeting as the board reviewed it’s finances.

Financial breakdown

The report showed the system is working with a $1,070,558 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, it was $115,612 shortfall in fiscal year 2022.

Total operating costs were $934,269 in 2022 and went up to just more than $2.1 million.

Total salaries and wages increased from around $407,100 to nearly $844,000.

Insurance costs are what they are, but still, it was $192,609 in 2022 and went up to $487,713 for 2027.

Board weighs service changes

CAT Chairman Detric Leggett said the ferries come with challenges but remain necessary.

“There’s a lot of hiccups that go with the ferries so we have to use the ferries now,” CAT Chairman Detric Leggett said.

CAT board member Adot Whitely suggested reducing services within the board’s contractual obligations with the Savannah Convention Center and other entities CAT has agreements with.

“Number’s don’t lie, we got to do something with the ferry because it’s bleeding,” Whitely said.

With another ferry set to be added to the fleet soon, Leggett said the board will look at local funding options.

“With our legislative agenda, we want to be able to have a legislative ask and see if we can put some money together to actually help on our shortfalls,” Leggett said.

Bridge closures ahead

The Georgia Department of Transportation is working on the Talmadge Bridge’s cable replacement project which has caused single-lane closures since September 10. Georgia DOT’s Joe Schulman said there will be weekend-long full bridge closures anticipated to start in early 2027. plans for weekend-long full bridge closures starting in early 2027.

They will announced the official dates for work and detour information at a later time.

“We’re going to use the ferry a lot more to get people across the bridge and get them back over here,” Leggett said.

Riders react

Riders said they enjoy the free, public transportation service.

“It’s fabulous, it’s very convenient, they run quickly, and the guys who run it are entertaining,” said Sheri Korbet, a Savannah Belles Ferry rider. “It’s also kind of nostalgic and it’s fun to be on the river.”

Korbet said the ferry also serves those working in the hotels and shopping areas near the waterway.

“Sometimes they say when there’s like 100 people waiting in line, they’ll run an extra boat so yeah, I think it gets utilized by visitors as well,” Korbet said. “I’ve seen employees from the hotels go back and forth.”

Concerns over past decisions

Some CAT board members raised concerns about the ferry’s future, noting previous leadership agreed to expand its services before the current financial situation.

“We’re still paying for those sins of the decisions of the moms and dads from a while ago while quite a few of us were raising our hands going, ‘wait a minute, what are we doing here?’” said Michael Owens, a CAT board member.