Athens-Clarke County Transit was awarded the 2024 Georgia Transit Association Innovation Award at the annual GTA conference this month, recognizing its commitment to enhancing public transit.
"The ACCGov Transit Department strives to provide quality, reliable public transportation services throughout the Athens-Clarke County community, providing access to opportunity for all residents," said Transit Director Vic Pope.
Key initiatives that contributed to the award include the installation of over 80 bus shelters and 500 bus stops, many featuring public art. The transit system also improved wayfinding with 500 static signs, 50 digital signs, and real-time navigation tools for riders.
In addition, Athens-Clarke County Transit completed a $10 million Multimodal Transportation Center, strategically positioned for future commuter rail integration. The system has also transitioned to a more environmentally-friendly fleet, replacing diesel buses with hybrid electric vehicles. The use of Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds has helped increase transit revenue by 50%, while maintaining a fare-free service since the pandemic.
For more details, visit www.accgov.com/transit or contact Rachel Hopkins at rachel.hopkins@accgov.com.