Atlanta’s transit agency is slowing its plans to extend its bus and rail lines, prompting criticism from city officials.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is scaling back its expansion plans despite a voter-approved ‘More MARTA’ sales tax passed in 2016, writes Maria Saporta in the Saporta Report. The agency revealed that it plans to complete nine projects by 2028, with only one of them, the expansion of the Atlanta Streetcar, being a rail project. This is in sharp contrast to previous plans—in 2016, MARTA had as many as 70 projects in the pipeline. Saporta adds that the agency has downgraded some planned light rail lines to bus rapid transit (BRT), a move the agency says will save money and time.
While the agency has collected $394.8 million from the More MARTA tax, roughly 46 percent has been spent on bus operations and enhancements, despite an early projection that just 10 percent of revenue would go toward bus enhancements.
The article details frustration from city leaders with the slow pace of MARTA’s expansion. Councilmembers are calling on MARTA to return funds to the capital funding pool, and Mayor Andre Dickens replaced two MARTA board members in a sign of disapproval. “It’s important for me, the City Council and the public to say: ‘MARTA, we want to see projects delivered. We want to see Campbellton Road BRT completed soon. We want to see the Summerhill BRT, completed soon. We want to see Metropolitan and Cleveland Avenue projects completed, and we want to see these things done on time and on budget,” Dickens said.
FULL STORY: Less is less with More MARTA projects
Atlanta Transit Plans Stall Due to Budget Concerns
With MARTA facing a potential billion dollar shortfall, the agency says it can’t fulfill its system expansion plan.
Atlanta Gaining Two New ‘Arterial Rapid Transit’ Lines
MARTA will begin construction on two new bus lines this year, which will share lanes with other vehicles but use other tools to speed up service.
Atlanta Streetcar Expansion Still Moving Forward
MARTA has drastically reduced its plans to construct new rail transit, but one project still has political support from the top at City Hall.
The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.
Cool Walkability Planning
Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.
Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.
Report: Austin’s State Roads Deadlier Than City Roads
Traffic fatalities and serious injuries grew on state-owned roads in the Texas capital, even as city-owned streets saw death rates plateau.
Who Benefits Most from Land Conservation Efforts?
A new study estimates that recent land conservation generated $9.8 billion in wealth nationally through the housing market and that wealthier and White households benefited disproportionately.
Richmond Repeals Parking Minimums, Encourages Off-Street Parking and Transit
The Virginia city is replete with underused off-street parking lots, which city councilors hope to make available for parking at more times while encouraging transit use.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
