The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority’s new Rapid Transit program allows Mercer students to request trips across various routes in the county for free until Oct. 31. Users can choose pick up and drop off locations on TripSpark's Rides on Demand app and pick a time for the van to arrive. Arrival times typically range from 15 to 20 minutes after a request is made.
Accessible transportation plays a huge role in Macon, especially for those without personal vehicles. The system is available to Macon residents unaffiliated with Mercer for $5 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and $8 after 6 p.m. Services end at midnight. The ride is quick and sufficient to get from point A to point B, but seating is somewhat limited.
Former SGA Senator Luke Hand ‘28 helped partner the university with MTA. In 2023, The Cluster reported that staffing issues had continued to be an issue for the city's transit authority, which had led to MTA sunsetting a late-night bus route that connected downtown Macon and Mercer's campus.
“Dean Pearson and I were informed that their normal bus drivers became very short-staffed after the COVID-19 pandemic hit its peak and never truly recovered,” Hand said.
The shuttle’s main route makes a circle around the greater part of Macon, including the business district of downtown. It deviates from the path to pick up people as needed.
“We also entertained the idea of obtaining a program using Lyft or Uber with the help of Lekhan Patel '27,” Hand said. “But we decided against it after some talk and planning.”
Hand told The Cluster that that he ran for an SGA seat with the intent of bringing a transit service back to Mercer students. Now that that goal was accomplished, Hand said, he decided that it was time to move on from the governing body. While the shuttle is free of charge right now for students, a fee will kick in starting Nov. 1.
More information about the program and shuttle routes can be found on the Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority website.
Pariss Nicholson ‘26 is majoring in Journalism and minoring in Media Studies at Mercer University. She hopes to report or write for ESPN after she graduates. Outside of her studies, she likes to read and watch sports games in her room.
