The Birmingham city council has approved a $14,000,000 budget for the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority for the fiscal year 2025.
BJCTA Executive Director and CEO Charlotte Shaw says the transit system has grown substantially just in the last 5 months.
Additionally, she says the county is making the most out of the communities tax dollars, as they continue to execute their 5-year strategic plan.
11 new buses were recently purchased for the county, as routes continue to gain ridership.
Right now, the bus rapid transit system sees upwards of 20,000 riders a month.
Shaw says that since the rapid transits inception in September of 2022, it has grown 207%, and 153% since May.
The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. is the first of its kind in Alabama. Also known as the Birmingham Express, it connects neighborhoods from the Woodlawn Transit Center in the East to the Crossplex Transit Center in the West.
Additional routes include the Magic City Connector whichruns along 20th street and connects to routes that lead to many attractions throughout the city.
Also, the MAX Direct which services customers commuting to and from the City of Mountain Brook.
Shaw says in 2025, they plan to add more platforms downtown. Additionally, the county is working to develop properties surrounding the transit hubs.
“We have property now around those areas. So, we’re going to develop affordable housing and multi-use space,” said Shaw.
She adds that it play into the cities plan to improve walkability.
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“Transit should be one of those convenient places people can go around where they live.”
Right now, the Birmingham Express is a complimentary service.
Soon, the Micro-transit system which services 15 passengers or less, will be expanding to service riders directly to and from Mountain Brook and Homewood, as well.
That service is only $1.50.
When Birmingham’s public transportation is compared to cities of a similar size, Shaw believes Birmingham is keeping up.
In 2024, The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority was recognized as an Outstanding Public Transportation System with 3M annual passenger trips or more by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) as part of the prestigious 2024 APTA Awards.
You can find routes here.
