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

[shivtim]

CDC already fully subsidizes Breeze cards for employees that take MARTA. It doesn't make sense for any of CDC's budget to go towards funding transit systems. That's the DOT's job. For the record, I also think CDC employees should have to pay for a parking pass.

[Martinman]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

Emory to contribute $60mil to Clifton Corridor, including 10 acres of ROW and (additional $ ???) for expanded operation including another station, pedestrian, and bike paths.

"Emory University could contribute almost $60 million in land and operational investment for the long-sought-after expansion of light rail along the Clifton Corridor.

The donations could include 10 acres of rights-of-way valued at $25.5 million for the recently approved transit line along Clifton Road in the heart of Emory University’s campus. Another $33.9 million could support expanded operations such as a new station, along with bike and pedestrian paths." "

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...contributing-60-million-for-clifton.html

It seems that the BRN idea of how to make the Clifton route happen is coming together so far. I love it.

[Martinman]

Wrong thread.

[smArTaLlone]

Star Metal’s exclusive Marta shuttle will provide express trips from Midtown Transit Station

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqpmaIEgGkt/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Some of the neighboring developments should partner on this idea and maybe increase the frequency.

[Pemgin]

I presume this will be a private shuttle service provided by Star Metals (similar to the shuttle service running between PCM and North Avenue Station) and not an arrangement between Star Metals and MARTA.

[smArTaLlone]

I am interpreting the phrase "exclusive Marta shuttle" to mean an arrangement with Marta.

[Pemgin]

Maybe, but it's vague and could just as easily be interpreted as a shuttle running from the development to the Midtown MARTA station. It looks like they're using "Marta" just as a way of saying that the shuttle will go to the Midtown station.

[smArTaLlone]

You're probably right. A private shuttle is really the only way it could be exclusive.

[trainiac]

The newly branded "Virgin Train" in Florida has some cool ideas for the future:

The company states its desire to expand to other routes, including Atlanta to Charlotte, North Carolina, Dallas to Houston, and Los Angeles to San Diego.

Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article221806725.html#storylink=cpy

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by trainiac

The newly branded "Virgin Train" in Florida has some cool ideas for the future:

For comparisons sake, AMTRAK between Atlanta and Charlotte you'd have to leave atlanta at 8PM on a Friday and arrive at 1 in Charlotte. Leaving Charlotte sunday would be leaving Sunday at 2:45 AM and arriving at 8:13 AM in Atlanta.

Neither of those trips are worth the hassle. Megabus and Greyhound are much more manageable. I'd prefer if Atlanta had trains to both Nashville and Charlotte, however, to make the trip a bit more relaxing.

[Street Advocate]

Here's an in progress aspirational MARTA map i've been working on. Obviously there'd be more infill stations in the Northwest and nothing is steadfast. I have a more recent version, but figured I'd post this in the interim:

[montydawg]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

Here's an in progress aspirational MARTA map i've been working on.

This is exactly how I had envisioned a heavy rail expansion on the west side- good job. The only exception is I would have the green and brown lines diverging north of Atlantic station- with one going down to Arts center (using the 1970's era track spur implements that exist in the tunnels just north of the Arts Center station) and the other going North towards Armor Yard and Lindbergh. I think Bart and DC Metro have struggled from a scheduling standpoint in having more than 3 different lines on a single pair of tracks due to limitations of block signaling.

Perhaps if CBTC is implemented, they could make it happen. They could also add another pair of tracks on the Armor yard segment (4 track segment there) and add more platforms to Lindbergh.

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

Here's an in progress aspirational MARTA map i've been working on. Obviously there'd be more infill stations in the Northwest and nothing is steadfast. I have a more recent version, but figured I'd post this in the interim:

Hmm. Is that for heavy rail expansion?

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by montydawg

The only exception is I would have the green and brown lines diverging north of Atlantic station- with one going down to Arts center (using the 1970's era track spur implements that exist in the tunnels just north of the Arts Center station) and the other going North towards Armor Yard and Lindbergh.

This is a great call out that I hadn't thought about. I was generally thinking one or the other and ran them both to Lindbergh because I didn't want to attempt to even pretend to engineer the sharp turn into Arts Center. I am also undecided if the line that goes northbound should terminate at Lindbergh or continue to either the Red or Gold line terminus.

I appreciate the feedback.

[montydawg]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

I didn't want to attempt to even pretend to engineer the sharp turn into Arts Center.

There is actually a similar curve just north of the Airport station that leads to their Southern storage yard as well as an extremely sharp curve underneath the 5 points stations which allows non-revenue trains to transfer from the North-South line to the East West line. I believe the only limitations for curves like these is the train is limited on speed. You will probably notice that the train goes over 45 MPH on the current curved track that goes over 85 north of Arts Center, so it is conceivable that trains could take such a curve with slower speeds.

[spoonman]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

For comparisons sake, AMTRAK between Atlanta and Charlotte you'd have to leave atlanta at 8PM on a Friday and arrive at 1 in Charlotte. Leaving Charlotte sunday would be leaving Sunday at 2:45 AM and arriving at 8:13 AM in Atlanta.

Neither of those trips are worth the hassle. Megabus and Greyhound are much more manageable. I'd prefer if Atlanta had trains to both Nashville and Charlotte, however, to make the trip a bit more relaxing.

Richard Branson and his latest hair brained scheme....pass. I’m sure they’ll soak Wall Street for a few bucks before this implodes.

[MykelAtl]

Street Advocate, I love your MARTA map. While you are at it have the white line, east of 5P branch off to create a Civic Center type of station over the connector called Capitol District before heading south to Georgia Avenue to continue to Peoples Town, Lakewood Heights, Cleveland Ave, Browns Mill, and Airport International Terminal. It would address the lack of rail east of the south connector. Never dream small!

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by MykelAtl

Street Advocate, I love your MARTA map. While you are at it have the white line, east of 5P branch off to create a Civic Center type of station over the connector called Capitol District before heading south to Georgia Avenue to continue to Peoples Town, Lakewood Heights, Cleveland Ave, Browns Mill, and Airport International Terminal. It would address the lack of rail east of the south connector. Never dream small!

I have another version of the map that includes a southeast line sharing ROW along the existing freight corridors. I'll post a rendering later. However, I believe we may be able to accomplish more if we were to implement a handful more BRT routes (BRT = thin blue lines in the rendering) throughout the city. I'll post updates of both when I have a bit more availability.

[Martinman]

Of course this would be incredible. Make it happen SA!

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

I have another version of the map that includes a southeast line sharing ROW along the existing freight corridors. I'll post a rendering later. However, I believe we may be able to accomplish more if we were to implement a handful more BRT routes (BRT = thin blue lines in the rendering) throughout the city. I'll post updates of both when I have a bit more availability.

Dated HRT map w/southeast leg:


Updated transit map. I want to update the I-20 BRT to go further east along Memorial to capture south of Kirkwood commercial district and hop on I20 via Wilkinson and/or Clifton St. SE. Also want to identify other commercial districts that are under-served/could be improved upon. Joseph E. Boone, L5P, Virginia Highland, 10th street, and Peachtree I always think there's opportunity to improve. For now, I imagine there'll be at least 5 BRT routes:
1) DLH -> Emory
2) Cascade Heights -> EAV
3) Lakewood Heights -> Buckhead Triangle
4) Collier Hills -> Perkeson Park
5) I-20 BRT East: