Augusta, GA
Augusta Transit could expand bus routes with new electric buses
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – New electric buses are coming to Augusta.
The transit received $12 million for six new clean-energy battery electric buses, charging equipment and even a bus simulator to train the drivers.
The old diesel bus fleet may be heading back to the garage. The Augusta Transit is making a change and going green.
Mary Farrer has been riding Augusta Transit for years. She plans her day around the bus.
“I have to get up early and try to get there in time and call the bus line and find out what’s going on with the buses and everything at least an hour ahead of time,” she said.
It takes that kind of planning, and she’s not the only one.
Deputy Director of Augusta Transit Dr. Oliver Page said: “Everyone is asking why we don’t have more buses on the road, one bus every 30 minutes. But to have that, we have to have more physical buses.”
And that’s about to happen.
Page says they’re going green too.
“We are responsive to our riders’ needs. The $12 million grant will be going to purchase six buses, a bus simulator, as well as having some additional charging points outside and workforce development,” said Page.
Augusta Transit has been adding buses — six diesel buses were delivered last year. The five electric buses will arrive next year, but it’s not happening often enough.
“We haven’t been replacing buses, like once every two years. The last batch of buses we received was in 2023. Before that, it was 2016. So, with these gaps in bus replenishment, that’s why we have buses on the road past their useful life,” said Page.
Compared to other cities, Augusta has some ground to cover.
“When we look at places like Macon and Athens, they’re smaller cities than we are, they have bus fleet of 20, 25, 30 buses, we only have 18. So, we have to catch up,” said Page.
It means riders like Farrer won’t have quite as much planning to do.
2025 is when the first set of electric buses will arrive, and by 2027, six more will be here.
Page says once the old buses are replaced with new ones, you could see new routes coming to South Augusta and the Augusta Regional Airport.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan campaigned in Augusta ahead of Election Day, making stops at two churches and meeting with local faith leaders.
The former lieutenant governor visited Good Hope Baptist Church on Cedar Street, where he spoke with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition’s “Music to the Polls” group.
Duncan told us that, if elected governor, he wants to expand Medicaid, pass what he called “common-sense gun legislation,” and create more economic opportunities statewide. He also pointed to affordability concerns impacting families and businesses.
“I want to take $1.7 billion of our state’s fund and wrap it around the axle of poverty,” Duncan said, adding that he wants to lower child care costs and improve temporary assistance programs.
Duncan also stopped at Miles Memorial Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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