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

[Atlriser]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

Anyone attending these meetings? A lot of the write-ups lately are about the I-20 West HRT and Clifton Corridor LRT. Maybe just biased journalism?

While I wouldn't mind these projects in conjunction with LRT/BRT/streetcar dedicated lane expansion criss-crossing the city, I will absolutely raise hell if more inner neighborhood cross-town expansion is not funded through this approved tax.

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/03/23/marta-proposes-up-to-4-billion-expansion.html

Agreed. Clifton Corridor and Westside are both outside the city limits are they not. I thought all money had to be inside Atlanta-Fulton limits, as that was the only area that voted.

[Atlriser]

From the city's webpage regarding the November votes on the 2 referenda:

MARTA, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, has also proposed a half-penny sales tax for transit expansion and enhancements in the City of Atlanta. Over a period of forty years, this half-penny sales tax will generate an estimated $2.5 billion, allowing MARTA to make major investments in transit infrastructure, including introducing high-capacity rail improvements, building new infill rail stations within the City, purchasing new buses, adding more frequent service, and introducing new bus routes. For more information about the MARTA sales tax proposal, visit their webpage on system expansion.

[3yonce]

The Blue Line west extension would stop at MLK and I-285, which is still about 3/4 of a mile within the city limits. The Clifton Corridor could only get about one stop in (at Cheshire Bridge) with the current city limits, but that could change with the Emory annexation.

[daharris80]

Originally Posted by 3yonce

The Blue Line west extension would stop at MLK and I-285, which is still about 3/4 of a mile within the city limits. The Clifton Corridor could only get about one stop in (at Cheshire Bridge) with the current city limits, but that could change with the Emory annexation.

Yes, the Emory annexation is rumored to be linked to Marta expansion:

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/...on-may-be-linked-to-marta-expansion.html

http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2016/09/28/...ersitys-bid-to-join-the-city-of-atlanta/

http://atlanta.curbed.com/2017/3/8/14849296/marta-clifton-road-emory-annexation-house

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

Midtown Alliance has create a page dedicated to the Piedmont Avenue complete street project: http://www.midtownatl.com/about/programs.../piedmont-avenue-complete-street-project

Looks great so far. Wonder how all the "homeowners" will react though given this includes stretchs of single family homes and higher chance of nimbyism unlike the Juniper Street one.

[Street Advocate]

A part of me wishes Piedmont to 10th would be converted to two lanes, although 13th street conversion should help a little

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

A part of me wishes Piedmont to 10th would be converted to two lanes, although 13th street conversion should help a little

In one of the pdfs they show a study of doing this and that it would create extreme traffic issues being two way.

[smArTaLlone]

http://news.wabe.org/post/marta-looks-modernize-fleet-250-new-rail-cars

MARTA Chief Operating Officer Richard Krisak says $700 million in funding has been identified and approved for the 250 cars.


MARTA will seek public input with focus groups including both daily riders and casual MARTA rail passengers to help decide the seating, interior layout and colors of the new trains.

A request for proposals will be issued in October and due early next year. The first pilot rail car is expected to be on the tracks by 2019. Full-scale production of the 250 cars would begin in 2020. The contract would include an option to purchase an additional 100 train cars.

[Frankster87]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeanuts

Midtown Alliance has create a page dedicated to the Piedmont Avenue complete street project: http://www.midtownatl.com/about/programs.../piedmont-avenue-complete-street-project

Looks great so far. Wonder how all the "homeowners" will react though given this includes stretchs of single family homes and higher chance of nimbyism unlike the Juniper Street one.

I can't imagine homeowners with frontage along Piedmont would oppose traffic calming measures. Stranger things have happened I suppose....

[Street Advocate]

Have to wonder if state legislators start pushing for transit finance when they see the implications the next month with I85 out of commission. Almost too little too late, but maybe it's the spark they need to change more perspectives ?

[trainiac]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

Have to wonder if state legislators start pushing for transit finance when they see the implications the next month with I85 out of commission. Almost too little too late, but maybe it's the spark they need to change more perspectives ?

And tonight is the first Braves game in the new ballpark and they're playing the Yankees. I bet there were hundreds of free tickets given to our honorable and upstanding state legislators.

[smArTaLlone]

There is also a volleyball tournament at the GWCC this weekend that expects 30,000 attendees per day. Locals are going to really need to find other options as much as possible.

[Street Advocate]

Pretty sure today also kicks off spring break for a handful of local public schools, so families will be traveling. 285 and druid hills is taking a beating today. Midtown, Downton, and I-20 not so much.

[smArTaLlone]

Today, MARTA is seeing a 25% increase in ridership and 80% increase Breeze Card in sales

https://twitter.com/CEOMARTA/status/847857821542731782

[Street Advocate]

500 new bikes to Atlanta bike share.

Price changed to $10 monthly fee or $15/mo. for a one off time. I cannot wait for them to expand the stations.

[Frankster87]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

500 new bikes to Atlanta bike share.

Price changed to $10 monthly fee or $15/mo. for a one off time. I cannot wait for them to expand the stations.

Nice to see a station at Argonne & 5th! That one will be busy with all the residences there wanting to turn their 15 minute walk to Marta into a 3 minute bike ride.

[shivtim]

Streetcar ridership is up 10% over last year (first 5 months of 2017 compared to first 5 months of 2016).

[Libertarian]

Atlanta transit system gets mixed report card

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

Atlanta transit system gets mixed report card

Anybody know Yonah's affiliation with Atlanta, if any? He's a doctoral candidate at MIT's City Planning school with nearly a decade of planning/transportation journalism including reporting on Atlanta as far back as 2009, from what I could find.

I take the criticism with a grain of salt. Atlanta is just growing up and agree with a lot of the general notions.

[smArTaLlone]

11Alive news has learned MARTA will take over operation of the City of Atlanta's Streetcar.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed told 11Alive's Shiba Russell that he hopes the streetcar will eventually reach all the way to the Beltline.

"The city is funding MARTA's expansion, the largest expansion in its history, to the tune of $2.6 billion dollars. That referendum was passed with 70% voter support," Mayor Reed said during a live interview in the 11Alive newscast. "So, as a part of that process the streetcar system is being absorbed into MARTA as a part of the $2.6 billion expansion. So we're excited about it."

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/marta-to-take-over-operation-of-atlanta-streetcar/450744079