CARTA riders and others with a vested interest in the transit agency’s services attended a public hearing tonight where people voiced their opinions about potential service cuts.

Some attendees, like Richard Cooper, also offered suggestions for ways the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority could adapt in the midst of a budget crisis. Mr. Cooper said that the agency could combine the Eastdale and Cromwell routes.

“Maybe if you merge the both of them, you could save some money,” he said.

The hearing came as Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority officials try to fill a projected shortfall of roughly $1 million for the 2008-09 fiscal year. CARTA is struggling with the high cost of diesel fuel.

At a CARTA board work session Monday morning, Executive Director Tom Dugan went through the various cuts that are on the table. All are smaller and less drastic than two previous options: shutting down the free electric shuttle and ending fixed bus service on nights and weekends.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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