Light Rail Plans Could Become Bus Rapid Transit Plans in Atlanta

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is reconsidering its plans to add light rail transit along the Clifton Corridor between Emory University, the Lindbergh Station, and the Centers for Disease Control, announcing that it's now studying bus rapid transit (BRT) for the corridor. The BRT plans for the corridor are the latest sign that MARTA is backtracking from the details of plans announced in late 2018 to expand the city's light rail system, using sales tax revenues approved by voters in 2016.

In an article for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, David Wickert reports that MARTA plans to select a preferred alternative for the Clifton Corridor by October, according to a report from interim CEO Collie Greenwood to the Atlanta City Council transportation committee in March.

MARTA's sudden attention to BRT on the Clifton Corridor is the latest evidence of a trend, reports Wickert: "In February, MARTA announced it would recommend bus rapid transit instead of light rail for the Campbellton Road line in southwest Atlanta. And a recent preliminary report on a section of the Atlanta Beltline found light rail would cost far more than expected."

The original plan also included plans for 13 miles of bus rapid transit lanes in addition to 29 miles of new light rail. As mentioned by Wickert, MARTA is already making progress on the BRT. "MARTA already is preparing to build the region’s first bus rapid transit line along Hank Aaron Drive and Capitol Avenue in Atlanta."

Officials from Emory University (the university has supported the proposed transit along the Clifton Corridor in the past) are quoted in the article saying they support either BRT or light rail for the corridor.