ATLANTA TRANSIT (Marta, Beltline, Peachtree Streetcar, LovJoy Commuter, etc...)

[plorenc]

Since this seems to be popping up on the internet already, I suppose I should go ahead and share it with y'all. Here's my (updated) interactive map of upcoming bicycle infrastructure projects around the City of Atlanta for 2013-2016.

If you've seen this map before, you've already seen the red (improvements) and blue (new infrastructure) projects, which are all those that have project details finalized and are funded for 2013 construction.

New to this map are all the purple segments, which symbolize all those projects planned for 2014-2016 construction/completion. Since these projects are still in the planning stages, the details of these projects are unclear; as such, the exact nature and scope of these improvements are not entirely known.

While the details are still sort of unclear, you may find it useful to have some context for all these wonderful investments! If you have any more info on these new projects, please let me know!

[smArTaLlone]

Originally Posted by Alfred E Neuman

Any ideas of a cool name for the Braves Mag Lev?
For starters:

• The Attractor
• Fast Ball
• The Glide Path
• The Line Drive
• The Slider

I think it's a great idea. I could see the Braves having a contest to name it and giving away a season ticket pass and such.

[ATLswede]

Sierra Club tries to spin TSPLOST failure as some huge victory for itself and for the region:

http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2013...-tsplosts-defeat-there-has-been-progress

In the comments section, Terminus and I seem to be taking out our frustrations a bit on the club and their lone misguided supporter.

[arjay57]

I wonder if they are still planning to include a transit museum in the streetcar maintenance facility under I-75/85?

If so I'll be very interested to see that. One of my great uncles worked on the old streetcar lines back in the 1920s. Streetcar men had to be tough in those days, as they served as policemen as well as conductors.

[atlantaguy]

I have ALWAYS wanted us to have a major, serious transportation museum here.

Our sole reason for existence as a city is transportation. We need to seriously embrace and celebrate it. And I'm talking major, like Greenfield Village in Detroit or Smithsonian major.

We have decided to make the area around Centennial Park a Museum/tourism district, so put it there and add to the critical mass we're forming. Get Delta, Norfolk Southern, etc. to contribute.

We could pull in the Delta Museum from Hapeville, the Southeastern Railway Museum from Duluth, build upon them both and make the National Museum of Transportation happen.

Am I nuts, or is this a good idea to pursue?

[arjay57]

That would be a fabulous museum if we could pull all that together!

Maybe we could even bring in the Texas or the General.

There may be some interesting items over in the Pullman barn in Kirkwood. Back in the day when I could still climb a fence we took a look around one afternoon and there was all kinds of stuff there, including some old rail cars.

Of course Norfolk Southern has some extremely fine engines in its lobby up in Midtown.

And there is no telling what treasures there are in places like Inman Yard.

[atlantaguy]

^All fantastic ideas, arjay57!

[Alfred E Neuman]

Think a trans museum is a great idea. It's certainly Atlanta's legacy. I know this may be way down the road but, the future MMPT should have plenty of space and reason to put together a first -class transportation museum.

[Terminus]

Originally Posted by ATLswede

Sierra Club tries to spin TSPLOST failure as some huge victory for itself and for the region:

http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2013...-tsplosts-defeat-there-has-been-progress

In the comments section, Terminus and I seem to be taking out our frustrations a bit on the club and their lone misguided supporter.

That's not me. Somebody else has the name.

[Pessimistic Observer]

Its amazing that they could even be considering expanding when they have issues maintaining what they have. But some times you have to play with the hand your dealt.


MARTA eyeing major expansion up Georgia 400 corridor
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2013/08/29/marta-eyeing-major-expansion-up.html

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by Pessimistic Observer

Its amazing that they could even be considering expanding when they have issues maintaining what they have. But some times you have to play with the hand your dealt.


MARTA eyeing major expansion up Georgia 400 corridor
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2013/08/29/marta-eyeing-major-expansion-up.html

That's actually part of the problem. They have the money for capital projects and expansion because the state requires that a certain % go towards that. If those restrictions weren't in place it would be much easier for MARTA to maintain a higher level of service.

[cabasse]

marta may up train service frequency (ajc paid article)

https://www.planning.org/news/daily/story.htm?story_id=189866564

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by cabasse

marta may up train service frequency (ajc paid article)

https://www.planning.org/news/daily/story.htm?story_id=189866564

Full story here: https://www.planning.org/news/daily/story.htm?story_id=189866564

Seems like really excellent news.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by clexmond

That's actually part of the problem. They have the money for capital projects and expansion because the state requires that a certain % go towards that. If those restrictions weren't in place it would be much easier for MARTA to maintain a higher level of service.

What does the maintenance come out of, operating or capital?

I remember talking to a MARTA official when the TSPLOST campaign was hot and heavy and I asked him if the $700 million MARTA wanted was for expansion. He said no, that would all go to deferred maintenance (what they called "state of good repair").

[Newnan_Eric]

It would seem that MARTA finally has the right person at the helm. We might just see transit take a positive turn in this town. A few things to note:

• MARTA finally has a balanced budget
• The rate of fare increases is being slowed
• Starting in the next 2 weeks rail frequency will increase on all lines
• Implementing a new conduct policy in the next few weeks
• Issued RFPs for TOD redevelopment at MLK and Avondale stations
• Streetcar line to start operation in the next year
• Many new intown developments are adjacent to or within a few blocks of MARTA stations
• Falcons stadium appears to be going to the South site (regardless of your opinion of the stadium or your preference of sites, the South site selection is a win for MARTA)

A few potential pluses:

• The Beltline transit piece could do even more to what has already taken off fabulously.
• Any movement on the MMPT could pull even more together for MARTA (better integration with bus services, more downtown development, possible commuter rail)
• Redevelopment of Ft. McPherson.
• Additional lines (Clifton Corridor, 1-20 Corridor, GA 400 Corridor) could bring new ridership

There continue to be rumblings about some kind of regionalization or cooperation between the patchwork quilt of transit agencies we have in the metro area. The positive trend of all this may also lead to a more cooperative legislature. (Well, we can hope, anyway.)

I think things are looking up.

[smArTaLlone]

I agree. I think everything the new CEO has done was MUCH needed. As far as the budget, I wonder if sales tax revenue is up since the local economy is doing a little better. Regardless, Marta's long-term outlook is still a bit shaky given the systems reliance on sales tax revenue.

[Newnan_Eric]

Nice article about the good work that Keith Parker has done at MARTA so far:

MARTA GM driving force in system's turnaround

A couple of quotes:

Seven months later, the projected deficit was transformed into a $9 million profit.

Today, MARTA carries twice the passengers of the Dallas and Houston transit systems combined for half the cost.

There are lots of shops and restaurants at the airport, why not at MARTA stations? Parker is brokering deals that will do just that.

As GM of the San Antonio, Texas, transit system, he raised ridership an incredible 41 percent from 2006-08.

[smArTaLlone]

http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11262248/atlanta-achieves-federal-transit-designation

Atlanta has been named a Federal Transit Administration grant designee, a distinction that allows the city to apply directly for federal dollars to help realize an ambitious future streetcar expansion.

Until now, city officials have relied on MARTA — already a grant designee — or other entities to receive federal funds for transportation endeavors such as the city's $98 million streetcar project. While the first phase is already fully funded, the city can now directly compete for federal dollars as it eyes a much larger goal — expanding the streetcar system and building out the transit elements of the Atlanta Beltline.

[Uptowngirl]

Originally Posted by Newnan_Eric

Nice article about the good work that Keith Parker has done at MARTA so far:

MARTA GM driving force in system's turnaround

A couple of quotes:

Any word of any refurbishment of any stations? Namely Five Points?

They need to increase advertising in the stations too, primarily geared toward Atlanta attractions or entertainment (not unlike what they do in the London Underground stations).

I know budgets are tight but the in town stations really need to shine.

[joecool]

I think remodeling the marta stations are a waste of time and money. They look fine. More advertising yes. They need to spend the money on expanding marta. If they were to do anything to a marta station then arts center needs not a remodel but a revamp. That is such a dead zone. Add a restaurant or something.