CCT Bus Routes Set To Be Cut

The Cobb County commissioners are poised to cut service to three lesser-used transit bus routes at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

The board on the issue at its last meeting to give Cobb Community Transit more time to try and sort out particulars of the move on routes 35, 65 and 70.

Route 70 operates from the Cumberland Boulevard Transfer Center to Cobb County Health Center via Cumberland Boulevard/Cumberland Parkway, Paces Ferry Road/Home Depot Headquarters, South Cobb Drive, Highlands Parkway, East-West Connector, Powder Springs Road and County Services Parkway.

The decision, part of cutting 10 percent from all county departments, also includes what to do with the paratransit buses that follow the same routes and serve the disabled community.

The affected paratransit users could be grandfathered in and keep service. But some commissioners have said that might be difficult to do financially.

If approved, the regular routes will close Aug. 1.

When CCT eliminated or changed fixed routes in the past, paratransit riders were allowed to continue using the routes, according to the Marietta Daily Journal.

Federal regulations require that public transportation provide paratransit service that is comparable to the level of service for individuals without disabilities.

Grandfathering of locations and individuals in Cobb exceeds these regulations, according to the Cobb Transportation Department’s proposal, the MDJ reported. 

In April, and mandated 10 percent cuts to all departments, including CCT.

Of CCT’s $18.4 million budget for 2011, about 25 to 30 percent is funded by fares, which are $4 for express bus and paratransit and $2 for one-way local routes, according to the MDJ.

Started in 1989, CCT has 16 local lines, which run along surface streets, and eight express bus lines that travel during peak hours.

The commissioners will also vote to authorize the submittal of an application to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs regarding the potential designation of an Opportunity Zone in the North Smyrna area.

If the GDA designates the area an "opportunity zone," businesses that develop in that area will qualify for Georgia's maximum job tax credit of $3,500 per job, which can be taken against the business' income tax liability and state payroll withholding. Opportunity Zones are typically areas with a poverty rate of 15 percent or greater.

The City of Smyrna has scheduled a public hearing for a proposed Urban Redevelopment Plan (which will make it possible to establish an Opportunity Zone) on Monday, July 18. Smyrna-Vinings Patch will provide more coverage of this issue coming later today.

The board is also expected to authorize the appropriation of developer contribution funding for traffic signal installation and roadway improvements at the intersection of the East-West Connector and Gaylor Street.

The meeting begins this morning at 9 at 100 Cherokee St., just off the Marietta Square. Smyrna-Vinings Patch will have coverage, or you can watch live on cable Channel 23 or at the county website. The full agenda is attached as a PDF file.