Residents in Gwinnett's Gateway85 Community Improvement District are about to receive a significant transportation upgrade—hello, budget-friendly rides! For just $3 each way, locals like Jimmy Angelo can now bypass expensive taxis and rely less on favors from friends, choosing instead the newly announced Southwest Gwinnett Microtransit Pilot program. According to a report by WABE, this $1.3 million initiative offers a more affordable option for residents needing to travel within the district's 13-square-mile area.
Angelo, a Spanish-speaking Gwinnett County resident, told WABE that the costs of his current transportation options—whether it's public transit, taxis, or asking a friend—typically amount to about $15 per trip. In stark contrast, the microtransit option will offer a much cheaper alternative, operating 14 hours a day, six days a week, excluding holidays. Scheduled to run from August through July 2025, the program aims to make short trips to school, work, and connecting public transportation lines more accessible.
The collaborative effort involves heavy financial backing from the cities of Norcross, Gateway 85, and Gwinnett County, with the latter two shouldering 44% of the cost each. The rest of the tab comes courtesy of Norcross. Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson lauded the program for its potential to address the mobility needs of "our diverse community," as mentioned in a statement obtained by WABE.
Gwinnett isn't shy about its car-centric nature, but access is king—or so believes China Thomas, Gwinnett County's Capital Transit Director. "This new micro transit program, it provides access — access is opportunity," Thomas emphasized the goal of the initiative in an interview with WABE. Thomas further highlighted the county's dependency on cars and the inequity that creates for those without their own wheels, reinforcing the pilot program's aim to level the playing field.
The Lawrenceville and Snellville areas have already kicked off their versions of microtransit, seeing high demand rippling through the community. The new Southwest Gwinnett service appears poised to follow suit, gearing up to swing doors wide open for a more mobile Gwinnett—no deep pockets required.
