What Should Transit on the BeltLine Look Like?

More than two decades ago, an idea to repurpose an Atlanta rail corridor into a multi-use path, complete with a light rail line, was born at Georgia Tech. Now, a professor from that institution drew criticism from light rail supporters for a provocative op-ed calling the proposal to extend the Atlanta Streetcar to the BeltLine “a train wreck.” Writing in Urbanize Atlanta, Josh Green quotes portions of Professor Hans Klein’s editorial, countering them with responses from BeltLine Rail Now! (BRN), a group that supports the project.

In the op-ed, Klein writes, “Less-costly transit technologies and more useful radial routes are the basis of successful transit.” BRN’s response: “The BeltLine is the only place with existing dedicated space for transit to move unimpeded by cars, in its own right of way, and it would be a folly to not take advantage of that.” 

Klein proposes that bus rapid transit (BRT), which MARTA is building elsewhere in Atlanta, “can provide all the functionality of light rail at a much lower cost and with nearer-term deployment.” BRN, meanwhile, argues that streetcars can serve more users thanks to their larger capacity, meaning a need for fewer trains that will disrupt pedestrian traffic at crossings. According to BRN, “The BeltLine is meant to be much more than a walking and biking trail. It has always been planned as a transit corridor.” Removing a transit option, BRN says, is an “ableist” move that would limit mobility for people unable to walk, bike, or scooter for long distances.