Albany City Commission approves ASU Transit route

ALBANY — The Albany City Commission unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with Albany State University Tuesday that will add Albany Transit routes between the university’s east and west campuses.

Transportation Director David Hamilton told commissioners that while the routes will be open to the public, per federal law, they will primarily offer ASU students back-and-forth access between the university’s two campuses. Hamilton also said the routes will offer students “connectivity” with downtown.

“This is a great opportunity for the students at Albany State because so many on campus do not have their own transportation,” Maya Palmer, a junior psychology major from Warner Robins, told commissioners. Palmer was one of four ASU students who met with city officials to discuss the proposed bus routes. All four attended Tuesday’s meeting.

“We’re grateful for this idea, and we’re confident the students on campus will utilize this service,” Palmer said.

Hamilton said the memorandum of understanding between the city and Albany State opens the door to future joint opportunities.

“This could be the catalyst for future economic endeavors with Albany State,” the transportation director said before recommending that the board approve the MOU.

Hamilton said after the meeting that two Transit buses will make runs back and forth between the two campuses at 20-minute intervals starting with the university’s fall semester.

“The buses will probably pass each other on the way,” Hamilton said. “They’ll make runs from one campus to the other every 20 minutes. That will make it convenient for the students.

“And while I didn’t talk about it much at the meeting, I think it’s significant that there will be connectivity to downtown. That could be important in getting the students involved with our community.”

City Manager Sharon Subadan had mentioned at a previous commission meeting that student fees would cover student bus fare.