The Rome Department of Community Development and the city’s transit department are launching a new initiative designed to help residents who struggle to afford transportation.
The program, called Ride Forward Rome, will rely on donations to supply bus fare tickets to low-income residents, people experiencing homelessness, and veterans, according to homeless and housing manager Molly Majestic.
Majestic shared details about the initiative during a community redevelopment committee meeting Wednesday. She explained that several local nonprofit organizations had contacted the transit department to ask how they could contribute toward transportation assistance, making the program a practical solution to a widespread need. She emphasized that access to reliable transportation is a significant challenge for many residents and described the initiative as a positive step for the community.
Transit Director Courtnay Griffin said the program is open to support from individuals, organizations, and nonprofits throughout the community, all of whom can help address gaps created when bus fares were reinstated. She noted that the intent is to create a long-term, sustainable program that operates independently rather than requiring ongoing city funding, with initial contributions serving as a foundation for future growth.
An initial $10,000 in seed funding will be used to launch the program and provide single-ride tickets to eligible individuals, Majestic said. The startup funds will come from national opioid settlement money and will not involve taxpayer dollars.
The Community Foundation of Greater Rome will manage the funds and act as the program’s fiscal agent. Majestic asked the committee to recommend approval from the Rome City Commission so the city can enter into a memorandum of understanding with the foundation and officially move forward.
She said the agreement would allow the program to begin operating, set aside bus passes, and cover certain administrative expenses. Over time, the city plans to evaluate how well the program is working and make adjustments if needed, with the goal of helping partner organizations stretch their resources further while expanding access to transportation.
