Athens-Clarke County Transit was awarded the 2024 Georgia Transit Association (GTA) Innovation Award during the annual GTA conference in Columbus, Georgia in early December 2024. This prestigious recognition highlights the system’s exceptional commitment to innovation and excellence in 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. "The Georgia Transit Association Innovation Award memorializes community investment in the continuous improvements in public transportation for all of Athens-Clarke County."

The award recognizes Athens-Clarke County Transit’s transformative initiatives, including:

• Enhancing passenger experiences through more than 80 bus shelters and 500 bus stops, many featuring public art installations.

• Improving wayfinding through 500 site-specific static signs and 50 digital signs including solar-powered e-ink signs, informational kiosks, and onboard displays providing-real-time navigation information to riders.

• Completing a $10 million sales tax funded Multimodal Transportation Center, strategically positioned for future commuter rail integration.

• Implementing an environmentally-conscious fleet transition program to replace diesel buses with hybrid electric vehicles.

• Pioneering the use of funds from two Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) programs approved by voters. This initiative has increased transit revenue by 50%, from $6 million to $9 million annually, while maintaining a fare-free system since the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about Athens-Clarke County Transit and its services, visit www.accgov.com/transit or contact Rachel Hopkins, Transit Marketing Coordinator, at [email protected].