Local

Clayton County's bus system shut down March 31st, and thousands of riders still have no way to get to work, school, or the grocery store. But as WABE's Jonathan Shapiro reports, a state agency is doing what they can to help.

About 8,500 riders used C-TRAN on a daily basis before it closed down last week due to budget issues. More than half of those riders used it to get to work. It's why the state public service commission has granted emergency authority to a van company so it can provide some relief.

Clayton County's bus service shuts down in a week and many of its 8,500 riders are still scrambling for alternatives. One possibility had been adding additional bus lines run by the Georgia Regional Transit Authority. But that option is now officially off the table.

GRTA's bid to expand bus service in Clayton failed to gain federal approval because it lacked a long-term funding source.

Clayton County's public transportation system, C-TRAN, is set to shut down March 31st. C-TRAN employees got word Wednesday who would be absorbed into MARTA and who would be laid off.  

The news is grim. All 70 C-TRAN jobs are being terminated. This doesn't include the 17 employees that were already transferred to MARTA. The 70 include managers, bus drivers, mechanics, and office staff.

Gary Frank drives the 503 line and received his pink slip today.

Clayton's public transportation system is set to shut down due to budget issues March 31st. County officials have accepted that and are now trying to salvage at least some bus service.

Clayton commissioners have voted to turn over most of the county's C-Tran buses to GRTA, another regional bus service. In return, GRTA will add three new Clayton routes to its existing schedule. Commissioner Wole Ralph says the new routes will serve 50-60 percent of C-TRAN riders for a fraction of the cost.

Joining Cobb, Whitfield, and Hall, Gwinnett becomes the latest Georgia county to partner with the federal government to try and crack down on undocumented inmates.

Gwinnett Sheriff Butch Conway says the program will save millions, cut the crime rate, and discourage illegal immigrants from moving to the area.