Fulton County, Georgia's 40-Year Transit Plan Targets High Quality Bus Service

"A master strategy of expanding transit through higher-speed bus routes…gained consensus support from Fulton County [Georgia] commissioners and mayors," reports John Ruch.

In effect, the decision moves forward the Fulton Transit Master Plan, which sets a 40-year agenda for transit planning and development for the county. "The 40-year plan envisions a county-wide mass transit for major corridors. It includes all Fulton cities except the biggest: Atlanta, which already has a massive MARTA expansion coming thanks to a sales tax increase approved by voters in 2016," according to Ruch. Atlanta has also been exploring options in bus rapid transit, according to an article shared by Planetizen Contributing Editor Casey Brazeal in September 2017. The plan also gives a blessing to a proposal that would extend the MART Red Line light rail route farther north into the county.

"The decision could mean a sales tax funding request as soon as next fall, and it readies the county for possible new transit funding or governance coming out of the state legislature this session," adds Ruch.

Fulton County's transit funding and planning activities relative to the city of Atlanta has been the subject of discussion, and some criticism, over the years. The current plan grew out of a trio of 2016 ballot initiatives that created new funding. Planetizen correspondent Irvin Dawid noted in November 2016, however, that much of Fulton County's efforts will go into road construction projects.