We are happy to report that Athens Transit is now suggesting Route 7 to extend and give service to Jefferson Road and Whitehead Road!
Over the last few months, Tim Denson has organized District 5 residents in the Whitehead Road/Homewood Hills areas to give public input to Athens Transit about the need for transit service to return to the area. At the end of the input period, 70% of the Transit Development Plan public input suggested that one of the transit lines be extended down Jefferson & Whitehead Roads!
Based on citizen input, staff revised the TDP recommendations to the route, and it has been extended to include new service on Whitehead and Tallassee Roads.” – Athens Transit
We are happy to report that Athens Transit is now suggesting Route 7 to include extending down Jefferson Road and including the entirety of Whitehead Road! Now we must get over the last hurdle, for the Mayor & Commission to accept the proposed changes! If this route change is approved, an additional 3.6 miles of transit service will be provided in District 5! This route change is part of a package of route changes included in the Transit Development Plan which will be voted on at the May 1 Mayor & Commission meeting. Tim encourages residents to speak in support of passing the Transit Development Plan by either attending the Voting Session and speaking and/or using the Mayor & Commission Agenda Comment Form.
Here is the text from Athens Transit on the proposed change: “Route 7 is recommended to be restructured to provide bi‐directional service and to provide transit service to the areas that the old Route 5 will no longer serve. Based on citizen input, staff revised the TDP recommendations to the route, and has been extended it to include new service on Whitehead and Tallassee Roads. The hours or days of operation are recommended to be increased to add new evening and weekend services”
If we are successful in this last step, we could have the Bus running down Whitehead Road and Jefferson Road as soon as May 7!