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Chatham Area Transit

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chatham Area Transit
CAT Route 10 in operation
Founded1986 (40 years ago) (1986)
HeadquartersChatham Area Transit
LocaleSavannah, Georgia
Service areaChatham County, Georgia
Service typeBus, Paratransit, Ferry
Routes17
HubsJoe Murray Rivers Jr. Intermodal Transit Center
Fleet117
Daily ridership
17,000 (annual average)
Fuel typeDiesel, hybrid, electric
Chief executive
Stephanie Cutter
Annual budget$42,072,153 (operating budget)
Websitehttp://www.catchacat.org/

The Chatham Area Transit Authority, also known as Chatham Area Transit or CAT, is the provider of public transportation in the Savannah, Georgia, metropolitan area. The Authority was founded in 1987, evolving from previous transit providers.[1] Services operate seven days a week.

The downtown shuttles are known as the dot (downtown transportation).

CAT's Intermodal Transit Center, opened in 2013, is named for Joe Murray Rivers Jr., a transit advocate who transformed public transit in Georgia.[2]

As of 2024, CAT has a fleet of sixty buses,[3] including ten running on electricity.[4] Its average daily ridership is around 17,000.[5]

Fixed-route list

[edit]

There are currently 14 fixed routes:[6]

  • 3: West Chatham
  • 3B: Augusta Ave / Garden City / Hudson Hill
  • 4: Barnard
  • 5: Port Wentworth (Service started 2024)
  • 6: Cross Town
  • 10: East Savannah
  • 11: Candler
  • 12: Henry
  • 14: Abercorn Local
  • 17: Silk Hope
  • 25: MLK Jr. Blvd / Westlake Apartments
  • 27: Waters
  • 28: Waters
  • 31: Skidaway / Sandfly

Fare-free services

[edit]
dot shuttle on West Congress St

There are currently three free downtown (dot) shuttles:[6]

The Downtown Loop was amended in January 2022 to incorporate sections of Abercorn Street, East Liberty Street and East Oglethorpe Avenue, with new stops added at Price and East Liberty Streets and East Broad Street near East Bryan Street. It would no longer serve the eastern end of Bryan and Congress Streets.[7]

In January 2024, CAT began a four-month pilot program offering students fare-free rides around Chatham County. It replaces a 50% discount program. Some parents had concerns that their children would be sharing buses with the general population.[8]

Pooler, Thunderbolt and Port Wentworth opted out of receiving CAT's services upon its 1986 chartering.[5]

CAT bike stations

[edit]
  • Rivers Exchange - 610 W. Oglethorpe Ave.
  • Ellis Square - 31 Barnard St.

On December 31, 2018, CAT discontinued its bikeshare program citing market changes, low participation, and lack of funding.[9]

Issues and controversies

[edit]

In January 2021, the CAT board voted to terminate CEO Bacarra Mauldin, a surprise decision which was criticized by members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1324, the union which represents CAT transit workers. Initially, the CAT board stated that they had "lost confidence" in Mauldin's ability to lead the organization, while a minority of board members voted against the termination and called for structural change.[10][11] The decision caused turmoil in the CAT board, and the board voted to remove its vice-chair from his position after he spoke out publicly against the termination.[12] After her termination, Mauldin filed a whistleblower lawsuit against CAT, claiming that she was terminated after she raised concerns regarding violation of federal regulations. In response, CAT's attorneys claimed that Mauldin was terminated for excessive spending.[13] Mauldin eventually dropped the lawsuit.[14] Mauldin was later terminated from a leadership position with the Memphis Area Transit Authority for similar reasons.[15]

Following the hiring of CEO Faye DiMassimo in February 2022, the agency stated that public safety would be balanced with riders' needs.[16][17] In October 2023, the agency acknowledged an issue with indecent exposure and sexual assault on its buses, with DiMassimo stating that "it happens from time to time."[18] In April 2024, months after launching CAT Connect and CAT SMART, DiMassimo acknowledged that vehicles used for the projects had been operated without insurance as required by state law. DiMassimo had managed the launch of those services.[19][20][21] DiMassimo resigned her position as CEO in May 2024, but still serves on the CAT board as an appointee of the local legislative delegation.[22][23]

On June 16, 2025, a passenger and operator were violently assaulted on a CAT bus, resulting in the hospitalization of the operator; the suspect in the attack had 43 prior arrests.[24][25] On June 21, 2025, a man was stabbed on a CAT bus following a dispute with another passenger.[26] Following the killing of Iryna Zarutska in nearby Charlotte, North Carolina, which occurred soon after these attacks, CAT faced questions regarding its security program. CAT officials stated that measures to prevent future assaults included increased security staffing and use of facial recognition technology.[27]

In May 2025, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a law which reorganized the Chatham Area Transit Board of Directors, changing the structure and composition of the board and reducing the influence of the Chatham County Commission. The move was opposed by the sitting Board of Directors as well as Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis, who filed a lawsuit to overturn the law.[28][29] In November 2025, Ellis expressed the intention to withdraw county involvement in CAT, which was met with surprise from some other members of the Chatham County Commission.[30]

On February 25, 2026, the Chatham Area Transit Board of Directors named Stephanie Cutter as the Authority's new CEO. Cutter had served in the role in an acting capacity since June 2024 and had previously served as CAT's Chief Financial Officer.[31][32][33] The move came as CAT was under scrutiny from Chatham County for alleged financial misconduct.[18] ATU Local 1324 leadership described Cutter as "not labor-friendly" and cited concerns about misuse of public funds. ATU Local 1324 President Donya Swinton said that the state of the transit agency is "the worst we have ever been".[34]

In June 2026, Cutter publicly clashed with Ellis, with both accusing each other of being untruthful. Ellis stated that an audit of CAT's finances found "serious problems" and recommended withholding any funding increases for CAT. Additionally, the Chatham County Commission blocked the expansion of the CAT service district to Port Wentworth, citing concerns about the legality of the May 2025 CAT board change. Ellis also stated that Chatham County is looking for a replacement paratransit service provider.[35]

In September 2026, CAT suspended 21 of its 56 drivers without pay when they failed to enroll in a newly implemented fingerprint time clock system, leading to service disruptions, and warned them they could be terminated from employment. CAT had already been facing staffing challenges, with ATU Local 1324 leadership stating that there were 98 total budgeted driver positions. Union leadership stated that the change was made without following the correct procedures, and accused Cutter of "bullying" behavior.[36][37] By Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 27 drivers had been suspended without pay. However, by Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 25 of the 27 suspended drivers had enrolled in the new system and returned to work. A spokesperson for CAT stated that the contract with the union granted CAT "exclusive control" of business operations and stated that the changes had been discussed with labor representatives.[38]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "History | Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". www.catchacat.org. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Joe Murray Rivers, Jr. Intermodal Transit Center | Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  3. ↑ "About CAT – Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Chatham Area Transit (CAT) | DRIVE Electric USA". Drive Electric USA. August 16, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Savannah Morning News Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts". subscribe.savannahnow.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  6. 1 2 System Map – CatchACat.org
  7. ↑ "New Dot shuttle route to begin Jan. 9" – CAT Express, January 4, 2022
  8. ↑ Jaudon, Travis. "FREE RIDE:The pilot program offers students zero-fare CAT rides for the next 4 months, but how does it work?". Connect Savannah. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  9. ↑ CATAdmin. "CAT shuttered Bikeshare program effective Dec. 31 due to market changes – Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  10. ↑ Staff, Lou Phelps, SBJ (January 28, 2021). "Jan. 28 - Control of the Chatham Area Transit Board Comes into Focus With Firing of CEO". Savannah Business Journal. Retrieved September 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ Evans, Sean (January 29, 2021). "CAT employees speak out after CEO's firing". www.wtoc.com. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  12. ↑ Nussbaum, Katie. "Demoted CAT vice chair: Removal as vice chair an attempt by board to 'silence' a critic". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  13. ↑ Savage, Jessica (March 3, 2021). "CAT attorneys detail 'excessive spending' as a reason for CEO firing". www.wtoc.com. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  14. ↑ Nussbaum, Katie. "Fired Chatham Area Transit CEO drops lawsuit over controversial termination earlier this year". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  15. ↑ Staff, FOX13 Memphis News (March 28, 2025). "MATA's deputy CEO fired after 'serious breach' of agency standards". FOX13 Memphis. Retrieved September 14, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ CATAdmin. "CAT announces new executive director – Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  17. ↑ Evans, Sean (March 7, 2022). "New Chatham Area Transit CEO talks priorities". www.wtoc.com. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  18. 1 2 Neveaux, Kyron (October 23, 2023). "Chatham Area Transit responds after surveillance video shows bus passengers performing lewd acts". WJCL. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  19. ↑ CATAdmin. "CAT to hold press conference regarding the recent awarded SMART Grant – Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  20. ↑ Charles, Emma (April 1, 2024). "Chatham Area Transit initiates micro-transit pilot through $1.2M grant". WTGS. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  21. ↑ Maggio, Tia (April 27, 2024). "'You're putting the seniors in jeopardy': CAT gets caught operating uninsured buses for months". WJCL. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  22. ↑ CATAdmin. "CAT Board Statement on Resignation of Executive Director/CEO – Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Board of Directors – Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  24. ↑ Ross, Christa; Bierster, Madalyn (June 17, 2025). "Man with 43 prior arrests, arrested after allegedly attacking driver, woman on CAT bus". www.wtoc.com. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  25. ↑ Ross, Christa; Bierster, Madalyn (June 17, 2025). "Man with 43 prior arrests, arrested after allegedly attacking driver, woman on CAT bus". WTOC. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  26. ↑ Swanson, Summer (June 21, 2025). "1 man stabbed on CAT bus following altercation, says Savannah Police". WTOC. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  27. ↑ Maggio, Tia (September 17, 2025). "CAT acknowledges security issues in light of deadly North Carolina train stabbing". WJCL. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  28. ↑ Nelson, Craig (June 23, 2025). "Chatham County, CAT board members go to court to block board overhaul". The Current. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  29. ↑ Nelson, Craig (August 21, 2025). "Chatham commission to vote on resolution to rescind CAT board overhaul". The Current. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  30. ↑ Nelson, Craig (November 23, 2025). "Chatham chair's move to leave county transit system baffles area officials". The Current. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  31. ↑ CATAdmin. "Chatham Area Transit Authority Names Stephanie Cutter Chief Executive Officer – Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Chatham Area Transit Authority names new CEO". WSAV-TV. February 25, 2026. Archived from the original on February 25, 2026. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  33. ↑ CATAdmin. "CAT hires former City Manager Stephanie Cutter as Chief Financial Officer – Chatham Area Transit (CAT)". Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  34. ↑ McCann, Cam (March 5, 2026). "CAT Union pushes back on strike claims, says transit system is 'worst we have ever been'". www.wtoc.com. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  35. ↑ Mallous, Augostina (June 17, 2026). "Chatham County chairman, CAT CEO clash over transit budget, forensic audit ordered". www.wtoc.com. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  36. ↑ Cooper, Madelyn (September 22, 2026). "Union leader says CAT CEO is targeting workers in a new dispute". WJCL. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  37. ↑ Cooper, Madelyn (September 21, 2026). "Union warns of continued Chatham Area Transit service disruptions for riders". WJCL. Retrieved September 25, 2026.
  38. ↑ Lasseter, Evan. "Chatham Area Transit drivers return to work after suspensions this week". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved September 25, 2026.
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