ROME, Ga. The City of Rome Transit Department, which was slammed by the Federal Transit Administration this past summer for conducting a sham charter operation, has issued a charter service notice for 2008.

Private bus operators in the area, however, are not convinced the notice or the FTA ruling signal a change in the behavior by Rome Transit.

They note the countywide transit agency did not get rid of the trolley bus that was at the center of its sham charter operation, but merely shifted it to the city public works department. They also point out that it is still being operated by drivers employed by the transit agency.

"We know it's not the end (of problems) with them," said one Georgia operator. "We expect them to continue running charters, but we're keeping an eye on 'em."

The charter service notice, issued by Rome Transit last month and published in a local newspaper, covers service in Floyd County, Ga.

However, the notice contains conflicting information about the deadline for operators to respond. The notice says operators must submit evidence within 30 days of the notice, which is dated Oct. 18, but elsewhere in the notice it says the Rome Transit Department will review only evidence submitted by Dec. 18. Operators would be smart to respond by Nov. 16.

Despite its rural location, at least three private operators already have responded to the notice, and others are thought to be preparing responses. Those that have responded include Daniels Charters of Gainesville, Ga.; Buckhead Coach of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Swept Away Coach and Tours in Duluth, Ga.

Daniels Charters is owned by Jimmy Cantrell, president of the Georgia Motorcoach Operators Association, which has worked with the United Motorcoach Association to blow the whistle on Rome Transits federal transit rules violations.