Dodge County applies for FY27 transit grant for Eastman riders

Dodge County is applying for FY27 federal rural transit funding for Dodge Transit, and that matters for Eastman-area riders who rely on the service for everyday trips.

The request is tied to Section 5311, the Federal Transit Administration program that provides capital, planning and operating assistance for public transportation in rural areas with populations under 50,000. FTA says the program can also support job access, reverse commute, non-emergency medical transportation, mobility management and the acquisition of transit service.

Dodge County says Dodge Transit provides fare-based curb-to-curb transportation inside its service area. Riders must call at least three days in advance to schedule a pickup, and the county says the fleet includes five vans, three of them wheelchair accessible.

The county first listed the FY 27 5311 grant resolution on an Aug. 18, 2025 board agenda, and the homepage now says Dodge Transit is applying for funding through FTA. That means the county is asking for support, not announcing an award.

For Eastman residents who depend on the service for appointments, errands or other trips, the key question is whether the grant is approved and whether county transit service changes as a result.

Sources

• Dodge County, Georgia homepage notice on FY27 transit grant application
• Federal Transit Administration: Formula Grants for Rural Areas (Section 5311)
• Georgia DOT Transit Programs
• U.S. Census QuickFacts: Eastman city, Georgia