The Norcross City Council on Monday approved a micro-transit program, a government-backed rise share service in and around the city.
The 3-2 vote came after a vote on the issue earlier this month was delayed over the city’s financial contribution. The city, Gwinnett County and Gateway85, a county community improvement district, are partnering and sharing the cost.
Originally, Norcross was to contribute 25% of the project cost. But the city’s contribution is now 12%, or about $154,199. The one-year pilot program agreement begins on Aug. 1 and continues to July 31, 2025. Actual micro-transit rides will start around Sept. 9, Norcross City Manager Eric Johnson said.
Councilmember Josh Bare, who voted against the project, said he was concerned about the cost and thought there were other priorities the city should focus on.
“I have a lot of reservation about supporting this because I don’t think we can afford it,” Bare said, adding that he thinks the $3 cost of a ride is too low and the city should focus on fixing roads. “To me, $3 is basically free.”
Councilmember Matt Myers spoke for the project, saying the service will help the city meet goals in its 2040 comprehensive plan.
“I’ll be frank, will I ride this system on a regular basis? No,” Myers said. “That doesn’t mean I don’t represent people in our community that it is for.”
Micro-transit, which resembles Uber or Lyft, is a curb-to-curb, on-demand service. Residents schedule the ride using a phone app. The service, which will run Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., currently operates in Lawrenceville and Snellville with routes typically hitting major points around those cities, like hospitals or government buildings.
In Norcross the route will include like the Georgia Department of Labor, the Amazon Distribution Center and a shopping plaza with Target and Publix.
Credit: City of Norcross
Credit: City of Norcross
If the program continues past one year, the city of Norcross might not have to pay anything for the service, Johnson said. But that is dependent on Gwinnett County’s potential transit referendum passing in November.
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