Cobb BOC to Determine Fate of South Cobb Bus Routes

Hundreds of South Cobb bus riders will learn their fate at tonight’s Board of Commissioners meeting.

At the 7 p.m. meeting, the commissioners will vote on the Cobb Community Transit's proposed cuts of Route 35 and 70, which run through Austell and Route 65.

In an effort to cut its budget 10 percent as County Commission Chairman Tim Lee directed all county departments in April to help with the county’s $31 million shortfall, CCT proposed cutting these routes because of their low ridership and raising fares.

The transit authority held eight public meetings throughout the county in late April to receive feedback from the community on the proposed cuts and fare increases, and nearly 150 people submitted comments during the timeframe to do so.

A rate increase is not under consideration at tonight's meeting. However, if approved, the route cuts would be effective starting Aug. 1. The agenda for tonight’s meeting are attached to this article, along with a video from an April public meeting held at the South Cobb Government Service Center.

Routes 65 and 70 were on the chopping block last year, but were saved by cutting Saturday bus service and much of the midday service of the routes, said Transit Division Manager Rebecca Gutowsky.