CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – The Board of Commissioners of Chatham County notified the Chatham Area Transit Authority’s Board of Directors they intend to end the current agreement with CAT for public transportation within Chatham County.
In the written notice, the County said they have, “decided that CAT is not focused on the true needs of the community through its lack of services in the special service district to include paratransit.” The notice went on to say they believe it is in the best interest of the citizens, “to focus on reliable transportation to include paratransit service and transportation services for citizens in the community that have the greatest need for public transportation access.”
The County writes they can not support, “CAT’s current focus on the tourist economy and ferry system to the detriment of the local citizens.”
The notice detailed recent changes to local law reducing the County’s representation on the CAT board.
“The County believes this reduction in representation, especially for the body that provides most of the financing for CAT through its millage and previous agreements, significantly impairs the County’s ability to effectively perform its Home Rule power under the Georgia Constitution to provide public transportation services,” detailed the County.
The agreement will end at midnight on June 30, 2026.
See full written notification below:
Chairman Chester Ellis says the county discovered too many instances of CAT riders being told their ride services would have to be cancelled.
He’s talked about CAT’s paratransit service, which is designed to transport people with disabilities in Chatham County.
He says they’ve asked CAT not to use paratransit funds for anything other than the program, yet claims CAT hasn’t been clear about how they’re spending that money. This is part of why they’re now stepping in with this notice.
“We must get people to their dialysis, we must get them to their doctor’s appointment, we must get them to their eye appointment, okay? We must get them to wherever they grocery shop. And it’s the responsibility, because the county pays 100% for paratransit,” said Chairman Chester Ellis.
CAT responds directly to Chatham County Chairman
Chatham Area Transit Board of Directors responded directly to Chairman Chester Ellis after the county said they plan to to end their agreement with CAT for public transportation in the county.
“Chairman Ellis: ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all’ is a line that was made famous by the rabbit character Thumper in the 1940s Disney film Bambi. We, the members of the Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT) Board, have followed this advice throughout the legal and political attacks you have leveled against this agency and our state legislative delegation following the passage of House Bill 756. That ends today,” began CAT in their response.
In their written response, CAT alleged since Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 756, the chairman has taken his frustrations with state legislature out on CAT riders.
“For months now, since Gov. Kemp signed House Bill 756, you have taken your frustrations with our state legislature out on CAT riders. Our riders didn’t ask for this fight. They don’t want this fight. We don’t want this fight.”
CAT called the November 13 letter, “an unnecessary, shortsighted, and cruel folly that will punish all CAT riders, and especially its most vulnerable ones, those who depend on paratransit service.”
Read statement in full below:
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