2 Douglas Legislators Address 'Bus System' Concerns: WATCH

DOUGLASVILLE GA, — Two Douglas County legislators took time out Tuesday after their legislative session at the State Capitol to address a town meeting that happened Monday night and residents' concerns about a proposed bus transit system.

Rep. J. Collins, (R) Villa Rica, District 68, introduces Rep. Micah Gravley, (R) Douglasville, District 67, who shares his feelings and concerns about the proposed bus transit system.

Gravley said the system is going to effectively have an impact on every resident in the county. "...The financial burden is what my concern is..."

"When this plan first started, under the previous administration, it was an inter-county transit system," he said. "It was a system that was designed to get residents to and from certain places, which a lot of citizens have expressed support to me. However, it appears, that that model has now changed and is turning into what appears to be a full bus system route that not only encompasses Douglas County but goes into Cobb and Fulton County.

"The main concern I had last night and the reason I showed up to speak was that, the citizens that have reached out to me. Any time we pass a bill here, at the state, we need to be considering the fiscal impact, the fiscal note. What is the financial impact going to be...And that is the concern for the citizens in my district, what is going to be the long-term financial burden? What is going to be the scope of this particular project? How's it going to be funded? Are appropriations going to be made available? Is it a project that's going to rely solely on federal grants? What if those grants do not come in? What happens if the grant comes in and then expires?"

"As soon as we have that information, and can make a more educated opinion about it, I'll be glad to update my constituents on it there in the Fairplay community of Douglas County that I represent," said Collins. "When the federal dollars run out, it's going to be local dollars, local tax payers who are going to be footing the bill for this so I think it's imperative that we have all this information before we agree to support it on the state level."

Photo and video courtesy YouTube