Patricia Harris-Morehead, a 14-year public transit veteran has been hired as the new chief strategy officer for the Chatham Area Transit system.
Harris-Morehead began her new duties on March 5. Prior to joining CAT’s senior management team, she served as the Communications and Marketing Director on the Nashville Metro Transit Authority/Regional Transportation Authority’s executive staff in Nashville, Tennesse.
“I am extremely pleased to join the CAT management team as we gear up for a comprehensive system redesign in order to provide more efficient and accessible mobility options for customers, tourists, and potential customers,” Harris-Morehead said. “I also am looking forward to working with our marketing and planning team on new creative and innovative campaigns to attract new riders to our system.”
CAT will receive 18 new 35-ft Gillig buses in mid and late May to replace its aging fleet as well as 28 new paratransit vans. CAT also operates the Savannah Belles Ferry, which provides free service between Historic River Street and the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center on Hutchinson Island.
The transit system was awarded a federal ferry grant in 2016 that the agency used to replace the City Hall ferry dock and initiate a ferry rehabilitation project. CAT has applied for another grant - $3.2 million to construct a much-needed maintenance facility on Hutchinson Island and a new ferry dock on the west end of River Street. The ferry runs seven days a week and provides service to more than 750,000 passengers annually.
Last year’s annual ridership for CAT’s fixed route buses, paratransit program, and ferry was nearly 4 million passenger trips.
“We are pleased Patricia has agreed to come on board and bring new ideas and a fresh approach to our system development department and transit agency,” Curtis Koleber, CAT chief executive officer said. “The team and I am looking forward to working with her.”
Prior to becoming involved in the public transit industry, Harris-Morehead worked in communications/marketing and workforce development in Tennessee government in Nashville and in television news and public relations in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
