Hall commissioners talk transportation

GAINESVILLE - Hall County Commissioners Monday morning talked transportation, okaying money to replace some old buses and setting a public hearing date to discuss the future of the Hall Area Transit System.

Board members gave unanimous approval to the Gainesville-Hall County Community Service Center's annual application to the Federal Transit Authority to support operation of the Dial-A-Ride service and replace three older buses. The county will pay about $7,000 for the buses and $141,000 for annual operating costs.

The most recent numbers available showed a total of 1,171 riders use the Dial-A-Ride service; 483 of those are city of Gainesville residents. The city of Gainesville, along with the federal and state government, also provide funding for the system.

Also, board members decided to hold a public hearing at its March 22 meeting to talk about future funding of Hall Area Transit, which includes Dial-A-Ride and Red Rabbit.

There will also be information presented at The One Community Organization meeting on Saturday at the Fair Street Neighborhood Center at 9:30 a.m.

Check back for more information from Monday morning's Hall County Commission work session.