(Lawrenceville, Ga., April 18, 2025) – The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners voted on Tuesday to approve the transition of Ride Gwinnett’s commuter service to the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority’s Xpress system, a regional move that aims to improve service efficiency, reduce costs for riders and eliminate the County’s need to replace aging commuter buses.

The change, set to take effect June 16, follows Gwinnett’s participation in a 2023 regional planning study conducted by the ATL, which recommended consolidating overlapping commuter services along the I-85 corridor. The transition will result in fare savings for riders and remove the burden of rehabilitating or replacing 30 commuter buses that have reached the end of their useful life.

“This is a fiscally responsible move that expands access and aligns us with a more integrated regional transit system,” said Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “It’s about making transit work better for the people who rely on it every day.”

To comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in any program receiving federal assistance, Gwinnett conducted a Title VI Equity Analysis and extensive public outreach earlier this year. Efforts included two virtual public meetings, a public hearing and an informational session focused on educating current riders and gathering their feedback.

“This transition represents the strength of regional collaboration,” said Gwinnett Transportation Director Lewis Cooksey. "It also allows us to reinvest in other critical transportation priorities while continuing to meet the needs of our riders."

Gwinnett County will now work to finalize an agreement with ATL Xpress for formal consideration by the Board in May.

For more information about Ride Gwinnett services and the proposed transition, visit www.RideGwinnett.com.