WE CAN’T KEEP WAITING FOR THE BUS.
2025 Update:
While we were succesful in getting the City to increase CAT’s funding again this year, unfortunately that funding had to be used to replace lost federal money. This means that there was no increase in CAT’s services, and wait times remain the same. We will continue to push to ensure that Charlottesville prioritizes CAT in next year’s budget so that everyone can have access to frequent and reliable transportation.
THE PROBLEM
Climate change is a global problem that is already having many local effects such as worsening storms and heat waves in our area. Climate scientists have found that, to avoid the worst effects of climate change, we must cut carbon emissions in half by 2030. In our region, transportation is the single largest source of carbon emissions. Most of those emissions are caused by cars. For decades our leaders have deprioritized investments in public transit and have led us to a situation today where our community is now over reliant on cars. If we are going to meaningfully address climate change, improving our public transit system must be a priority.
Right now, wait times for a bus in Charlottesville average over half an hour, and often some buses don’t run at all due to low staffing. With such long wait times, the people who rely on the bus are stuck planning their whole day around an unreliable schedule that often causes them to be late for work and other important appointments. Many people who want to ride the bus choose not to because of the long waits.
WHAT WE WANT
The solution to long wait times is very straightforward: we need more bus drivers. Right now, Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) has budgeted 67 drivers. Getting to wait times of half an hour will require at least 82. People who ride the bus deserve reliable transportation, and our climate crisis requires bold action. We need the City of Charlottesville to be aggresive in increasing transit funding so that more poeple can rely on the bus system and that those who already do can live their lives with the dignity that freedom of movement allows.