Chatham Area Transit

History

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

The story of public transportation in Savannah began in 1869 with the formation of the Savannah-Skidaway and Seaboard Railway Company. This railway company started to provide inter-city streetcar service by connecting the city with the Isle of Hope, Skidaway Island, Thunderbolt, Montgomery and White Bluff. The first cars were Horse drawn carriage

drawn by one horse each and had room for twelve seated passengers. The cars were heated by wood stoves, lighted by kerosene lamps and the horses wore bells to warn traffic of their approach. "When the streetcar system began operation, residents who were previously unable to afford transportation welcomed the opportunity to travel outside of Savannah for the purposes of residency, employment, and recreation."¹

In 1890, the first electric streetcar ran across the rails of the Savannah Street Railway. These streetcars were the marvel of the dawning electric age and this form of transportation enabled Savannah to truly begin the extension of the city limits. As early as the turn of the last century, the streetcar barn was located on Gwinnett Street at Harmon where the current headquarters of the Chatham Area Transit Authority are now situated.

The coming of the twentieth century saw the consolidation of the major local railway properties under the newly created Savannah Electric Company which handled all lighting, power, and transit operations. The Savannah Electric Company constructed amusement parks and casinos at Thunderbolt and Isle of Hope so crowds would have some place to go. The casino at Thunderbolt housed comic opera, vaudeville and even moving picture shows.

Image of horse drawn carriage and a motorized street car

Image of horse drawn carriage and a motorized street car

The early streetcars were staffed by a motorman who stood on an open platform. He wore a heavy wool blue coat and trousers year round. There was no heat on board and the motorman stood in a cardboard box with rags wrapped around his feet to stay warm during the colder months. Passengers fared no better than the motorman as there was no heat in the streetcars.

Image of an electric street car going down the street.

Image of an electric street car going down the street.

The electric streetcars continued to flourish through the 1920’s and 1930’s but were eventually overtaken by buses going into the 1940’s. In January 1946, the Savannah Electric and Power Company sold its holdings to the Savannah Transit Company. On August 26, 1946, the last streetcar operated in Savannah. The streetcar on this last trip was driven by motorman Luther M. Page who had been driving since 1912. With the dawning of the gasoline powered city bus, Mr. Page chose to retire rather than to learn how to drive a bus.

Image of men standing in front of a streetcar.

Image of men standing in front of a streetcar.

In 1951, the Savannah Transit Company (STC) had a contest for the design of a new bus token. An azalea design was chosen and 100,000 tokens were produced. Passengers did not care for these tokens because they could not use a safety pin to secure the tokens on shirt or jacket. A short time later, the STC ordered the azalea token with a hole punched in the center and passengers were once again happy.

In July 1961, the Savannah Transit Authority was created by state legislation to take over for the private Savannah Transit Company. At that time, transit operations were still a break-even and sometimes profit-making service. Both nationally and locally, rising labor, fuel and equipment costs, coupled with greater automobile availability and declining passenger levels through the 1960’s and 1970’s brought on the need for federal and local subsidies to keep the buses rolling for those who still needed and/or wanted to use transit. With federal and local funding support, the STA was able to continue stable operations until the early 80's when only insufficient government funding was available. The STA then entered the cycle of budget balancing annual fare increases and service cuts as experienced by many other transit systems around the nation.

In 1986, with steadily worsening operating and financial conditions, and recognizing the continuing community need for a reliable and affordable public transportation system, the Chatham Urban Transportation Study Policy Committee created a Community-wide Transit Task Force charged with studying the local transit system and making recommendations as to the future of public transportation in Savannah and Chatham County.

Parallel to this activity, State legislation pertaining to transit operations was passed that allowed for the possible establishment of a new transit authority, the creation of a transit service district, and establishment of a dedicated property tax to stabilize funding for its operations. The proposed transit system board would be made up of the nine Chatham County commissioners and three citizen appointees.² Funding was obtained for a study to identify boundaries of a transit district; appropriate type and level of service; and required millage rates to support future stable transit operations. Under the approved state legislation, the adoption by the County Commissioners of a local ordinance creating a special district was the triggering mechanism to officially establish the new Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT). Upon adoption of the local ordinance in 1986, the Savannah Transit Authority ceased to exist and the Chatham Area Transit Authority officially came into existence on January 9, 1987.

In March 1987, the CAT Board approved an expansion program increasing transit service as five new routes were added and service levels were improved on two existing routes. CAT reinstated both night and Sunday service. A fare reduction was instituted from 85 cents to 75 cents. Extensive marketing publicized the introduction of a multi-ride ticket program with convenient ticket outlets. A management service company was selected and the arrival of 35 new Gillig buses changed CAT’s fleet from the oldest in the state to one of the newest in the nation. A new logo and color scheme were also implemented. During this same time, the CAT Board approved the establishment of the Teleride demand response van service for citizens with disabilities who were unable to use the CAT fixed route bus service. TELERIDE is a door-to-door, advance reservation lift-equipped transportation service that is available to individuals with disabilities in Chatham County who are unable to use fixed-route bus service as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

In 1989, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) presented CAT with the "Outstanding Public Transportation Achievement Award" for small transit systems. This award acknowledged CAT as the best transit system in its size category in North America.

Also during 1989, CAT installed 31 new bus shelters and over 90 new passenger benches. As a result of the bench and shelter program, CAT received an award from the Historic Savannah Foundation for "Enhancing the Quality of the Historic District."

With increased hours of operation, quality customer service, and an outstanding safety record, ridership increased over 32 percent from 1987 to 1990. Revenue increased and CAT’s preventive maintenance and other cost-saving programs reduced its operating costs.

CAT's annual ridership rose from 3.5 million trips in 1990 to 3.6 million in 1993. New buses replaced those older buses still in the pre-1987 fleet. Four new Teleride vans were purchased increasing the fleet to fourteen.

In 1994, CAT’s service area expanded resulting in close to 90 percent of the residents of Chatham County living in the Transit District. Late 1994 also saw the introduction of the electric-powered CAT Shuttle that circulated in Historic Downtown Savannah, and in 1994, the first lift-equipped buses arrived. These lift-equipped buses expanded transportation options for people with disabilities. Also in 1994, fare realignment took place with the base fare increasing from 75 cents to $1.00. This was the first fare increase since 1986. Ridership rose from 3,600,000 in 1993 to 4,100,000.

In 1995, discussions were initiated on the construction of a downtown transit center. Federal funding was allocated for the building of this center to provide the citizens of Chatham County with a consolidated, centrally located transit center while enhancing CAT’s existing and expanding transit services.

Image of the Chatham Area Transit Logo.

In 1996, CAT played a major role, in conjunction with the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), in the mandatory evacuation of Chatham County citizens in preparation for Hurricane Fran. This year also saw the introduction of a new logo and graphics identity for the bus fleet.

In 1997, four 20-passenger diesel vans were purchased to replace the electric-powered CAT Shuttle buses as well as to augment service on other routes. With the arrival of these new vans, CAT had 32 lift-equipped vehicles in its 65-bus fleet. Of CAT’s 20 routes at that time, 15 were served by lift-equipped buses.

Also in 1997, CAT initiated placement of new bus stop signs along some of its bus routes. These newly styled signs joined the orange bus standards which have been a Savannah landmark since the mid-1940’s.

In 1998, CAT developed its website, catchacat.org, which contains details about the transit system as well as route maps and schedules to assist site visitors with trip information.

In 1999, CAT and the City of Savannah signed an agreement that allowed CAT to operate its downtown CAT Shuttle fare-free serving both residents and visitors.

Image of a CAT bus going down the street.

Image of a CAT bus going down the street.

In 2000, in response to community requests, CAT installed bicycle racks on all buses in its fleet. This year also saw the completion of CAT’s strategic Transportation Development Plan (TDP). Recommendations from the TDP resulted in operations improvement inclusive of route efficiencies.

Image of a CAT shuttle.

In 2001, CAT purchased and placed into operation two trolley replicas on the CAT shuttle route. The wheelchair-lift-equipped trolleys connect with most CAT routes in the downtown area and sport a distinctive Savannah green and gold design.

In 2003, the arrival of 31 new low floor replacement buses with a voice annunciation system for major stops made CAT’s fleet 100% lift equipped. Image of a CAT bus.

That same year, CAT took over the operation of the Savannah Belles Ferry system with the construction and christening of the Juliette Gordon Low and the Susie King Taylor, two distinct ferry vessels. Daily, these vessels carry visitors, employees, and residents between Hutchinson Island and River Street. The ferries are an integral part of an intermodal transportation system servicing the needs of Savannah area residents and visitors.

Image of the Juliette Gordon Lowe Ferry.

Image of the Juliette Gordon Lowe Ferry.

In 2004, Crossroads Business Center employers asked for bus service to reach employees for unfilled jobs. As a result, CAT added service to the #2 West Chatham which carries people to the Crossroads Business Center as well as to the old airport and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Ridership on the #2 West Chatham has exceeded projections.

Image of people boarding a CAT bus.

In 2004, CAT installed one hundred bus shelters throughout the Transit District under CAT’s passenger amenities program which included the installation of benches and trash receptacles. Installation of 25 more new shelters with benches and trash receptacles is planned for 2006.

Through a contract executed in 2005 with the City of Savannah, CAT now operates the successful Liberty Parking Shuttle on weekdays from the new Liberty Parking Garage to other parking garages and major downtown destinations.

In 2006, CAT saw the delivery of five new 30 ft. and five new 35 ft. low floor buses to replace buses ready for retirement. Also delivered were eight new replacement Teleride vans to transport people with disabilities. Image of a lady boarding the Teleride.

In 2006, discussions continue on the location and service characteristics of a downtown transit center. This project, begun in 1996, has met with various challenges causing the Federal Transit Administration to require thorough analysis of all feasible sites. Currently, CAT’s architect is working with an advisory committee to address the location, function and role of the site as well as characteristics of both the interior and exterior of the facility. Once funding, location and purpose are identified and agreed upon, construction of this center will begin. A downtown transit station with a climate-controlled passenger waiting area and other passenger amenities could reduce bus traffic along Broughton Street and enhance service delivery for the entire community.

CAT has a stellar history and continues to make strides in improving public transit services for Chatham County. From July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006, CAT fixed route ridership was 3,520,337, an increase of 6.25 percent compared to the same time last year.

CAT has a major impact on the local economy by carrying people to work, to school, to medical appointments, and other activities. As part of the transportation development plan (TDP) completed in 2000, an on-board rider survey was conducted which indicated that 83% of riders use CAT to travel to work or to school (kindergarten through the university level). The collective income of employed riders who used CAT to commute was estimated to be $122,000,000. A second TDP is currently underway which, when completed in late 2006, will yield route improvement, technology and marketing recommendations as well as results of rider and telephone surveys. CAT’s future growth and direction will be mapped out for the next five to ten years, and as a result of the community’s input, that future may call for different approaches to how we view public transit.

Beyond the local level, CAT holds membership in both state and national organizations. Since 1992, CAT has held membership in the Georgia Transit Association (GTA), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public transportation throughout the State of Georgia; in the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) whose purpose it is to create opportunities in the transportation industry for minorities as well as the occasion for networking, training and continuing education; and in the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a national and international association committed to strengthening and advancing public transportation.

In the coming year, CAT will continue to focus on providing quality public transportation services in a professional and responsive manner to the citizens of Chatham County. As our community grows and changes, so does CAT, because transportation is not an end, but a means to success.

¹ D’Alonzo, Mary Beth, Images of America Streetcars of Chatham County, Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, SC, 1999. Back
² In 1999, a fourth citizen appointee, representing the disabled community, was permanently added to the CAT Board Back

Back to the top.

To submit comments about the website, please click here

[EMPLOYEE LOGIN]

Level A conformance icon, W3C-WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0

CAT's website is JAWS-compatible. To access basic JAWS screen
reading keys and other JAWS training information, please click here.