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Who Runs Public Transit in Macon-Bibb?

PeachTracker
PeachTracker
June 18, 2026

Macon-Bibb County buses are run by a public agency. To ride, you pay cash on the bus or buy a pass on your phone.

The short answer

  • A public agency runs the buses: the Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MBCTA). You may also see it called the Macon Transit Authority, or MTA.
  • It offers three kinds of service:
  • Fixed-route buses — set routes on a set schedule, like a normal city bus.
  • Paratransit — door-to-door rides for people who can't use the regular bus.
  • Rapid Transit — an on-demand ride you book in an app, like a shared cab.
  • Buses meet up at one main spot downtown so you can switch between them: Terminal Station, 200 Cherry Street.
  • To ride, pay cash on the bus (bring exact change), tap a reloadable Smart Card, or buy a pass on your phone with the Token Transit app.

What this means for you

No car? MBCTA is your public option. You can plan a trip, see live bus times, and pay with cash, a Smart Card, or your phone. Downtown, you switch buses at one central spot.

There are 10 fixed routes as of 2026. If no regular route gets you there, you have two backups:

  • Book an on-demand ride through Rapid Transit.
  • Can't use the regular bus? Apply for paratransit.

Who runs it

The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MBCTA) is the public transit agency for Macon and Macon-Bibb County. It is a federally recognized transit agency with its own profile in the federal transit database.

A little history: the county bought the private Bibb Transit Company in 1973. The current authority was created in 1980 by the Georgia legislature.

A seven-member board runs it. Here is how someone gets on that board:

  • The Mayor of Macon-Bibb County picks board members.
  • The Macon-Bibb County Commission gives the final OK.
  • Two of the seven must be transit riders themselves — one fixed-route rider and one paratransit rider.

Board members change, so check the official list for current names: the MBCTA Board of Directors page.

What they handle

Fixed-route buses
regular buses on set routes (10 routes as of 2026).
Paratransit
rides for people who can't use the regular bus.
Rapid Transit
an app-based ride you book when you need it.
The downtown transfer hub
Terminal Station, 200 Cherry Street, where you switch routes. The paratransit office is there too.

How residents usually deal with this

Plan a trip and check live bus times. Use the trip planner and live map at myride.mbcta.net.

Pay your fare. A single ride is $1.25 ($1.75 with a transfer). Seniors 62+ pay $0.80, students pay $0.75, and kids 12 and under ride free. Pay cash on the bus (exact change), tap a Smart Card, or use the Token Transit app (also in Moovit and Google Wallet). Fares can change, so check the live fares page before you rely on a number.

Book an on-demand ride. For Rapid Transit, see rapid.mbcta.net.

Apply for paratransit. If a disability or medical condition keeps you from using the regular bus, MBCTA offers door-to-door rides. A one-way trip is $2.50 (round trip $5.00). Apply at the paratransit office in Terminal Station or through the MBCTA Paratransit page, which lists current hours and how to certify.

Ask a question. Call MBCTA at (478) 803-2521 (rider info and paratransit dispatch), email info@mbcta.net, or see the Contact page for current hours.

Where to go next

On PeachTracker:

  • The Mayor and the Macon-Bibb County Commission pick who serves on the transit board, so the people you elect have a say in transit.
  • See your local representatives by address on /districts.
  • Track local money decisions on /budget.
Sources
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