SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – When stepping on the bus today, you'll see a seat already taken, but no one is in it. The seat is set aside today for Rosa Parks.
Chatham Area Transit is honoring the legacy of Rosa Parks with a special initiative – free rides for everyone. It's all part of a nationwide effort to highlight the importance of accessible transportation.
Riders can take advantage of free rides all day Tuesday. The free rides recognize the important role public transit plays in providing equal access to jobs, education, and essential services.
In honor of Transit Equity Day – and Rosa Park's legacy – CAT is offering free rides on all fixed-route buses and paratransit services.
It is all about making public transit accessible to everyone – just like Rosa Parks fought for nearly 70 years ago. Transit played a large role in the civil rights movement… and today it continues to connect people to endless opportunities.
"We are dedicating a seat on the bus to Rosa Parks so when you get on the bus look out for the seat and you'll get some great information about the civil rights leader and her contribution and why this day is important," said Mary Moskowitz, the CAT Chief of Planning, Infrastructure, and Development Officer.
Transit Equity Day has recently gained traction for celebration. The holiday was created by a combination of Unions, which included the Labor Sustainability Network, in 2017.
"This is our second year (celebrating). We started really going hard with our recognition back in 2023 when we first decided to dedicate a seat to this Rosa Parks and the movement that she led against to make sure they all have access to public transportation," A'riel Johnson, the CAT Public Information & Communications Officer.
Park's arrest led to a 381-day boycott of the Montgomery bus system and is regarded as the first large-scale U.S. Demonstration against segregation. The boycott later resulted in the Supreme Court decision that banned segregation on public transit.
Whether you're commuting, running errands, or just exploring Savannah… today's the perfect day to ride for free and reflect on the power of public transportation.