Jay Bookman

By Taxpayer

June 12, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Do you think they’ll let that train stop in Lovejoy or would that be too much to ask. Actually, I thought the idea of using existing rail lines sounded like something well worth examining more closely. What happened to that. Besides, Perdue is well known for public escapades that turn out to have no value beyond getting him more face-recognition. Of course, we can all pray that he’s doing more than preying this time around. As far as the buses go, I think it would be totally stupid on the part of a politician to ignore the fact that some bus routes are over-crowded and truly in need of help.

By Me

June 12, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

As always the devil is in the details.

By SUBURBAN OVERLORD

June 12, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

This “proposal” is totally underwhelming, after 6 years of giving metro Atlanta nothing but crumbs and a kick in the pants.

$13 million for buses is an insult, when the state has issued billions of dollars in debt to fund widening unneeded rural roads in the GRIP highway program - while metro Atlanta gets $0 from GRIP.

Congress gave the money for the commuter rail - Sonny is just getting out of the way now so it can happen.

Don’t get your hopes up - these are just empty promises until real money is spent.

Remember all the hoopla for Sonny’s Fast Forward bond program? Look at what roadway projects have been built from the Fast Forward program in rural Georgia (a lot) vs. those promised to metro Atlanta (not much).

By Bill

June 13, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this

Maybe someday you will pull your head out of your arse and realize that government is best when it allows the free market system to work.

By GaLiberal

June 13, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

The Laughing Fat Man supports this ill conceived rail line only because it will line his and his buddies pockets. The LFM will NEVER allow state money to be used for MARTA. That’s because he’s a racist redneck that only sees MARTA as a transit system for poor blacks despite that a large (and growing) number of white commuters use it. Also, the other metro area counties need to get signed on with MARTA and pay their fare share. I park at North Springs and have noticed a growing number of non-Fulton/Dekalb county drivers parking there. These people are basically stealing from me because the $1.75 fare comes nowhere close to covering the operational costs. If these counties will NOT join, then MARTA should raise fares to double or triple the current amount and give Fulton/Dekalb residence as ‘reduced’ fare. Also, MARTA should set up a separate parking area for non-Fulton/Dekalb riders and charge $4.00/day for parking. If they don’t like it, let them drive and pay $4.00+/gal. These people stuck up their snob noses when MARTA basically beg them to join so I have no sympathy for them now.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And the LFMs failure to provide funding for MARTA is living proof.

By steve-o

June 13, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

Bill,

That Neal Boortzesque “free market” argument is really tired. Government often times is needed to help the free market function. Services such as road building, policing, economic development councils, etc are very vital arms of the public sector that help the private sector function more smoothly. Funding of public transportation by the state and federal government goes further in facilitating commerce in that it will aid in reducing congestion on roads, ease the commute of employees to their jobs, and decrease carbon emissions—which is great for public health.

By GeorgiaPeach

June 13, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Right on, GALiberal. No pay, no park & ride. Funny how hitting them in the pocket works every time. I hope gas goes to $8/gal. and everyone has to ride on scooters, European style!

By Nikita

June 13, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Sometimes a little history is needed. To all residents, and I assume a great deal of you are new to GA, listen up. MARTA has tried to push rail and bus service for years into each and every county since the 1980’s that has citizens that are screaming for it. The past governors who should have taken the lead and treat the issue like what it is, a STATE issue, allowed counties to block the very system that their constituents are begging and screaming for now. That would include all of Metro Atlanta, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett etc. The list is infinite. What has happened here is called a lack of common sense and the ability to lead. Right NOW the state - heck the country needs somebody to take the lead and do something to make life better for its residents. Heck, make bike riding and scooters a tax incentive, make driving hybrids and getting on mass transit a tax incentive for a few (3 max) years. Encourage people to walk (and lose weight too a win-win!!) People will talk and see each other and heck we might even be a community again who care for each other and not just our little town, county etc. again. History is power folks. Look it up and look at the shame that the Governors, GA. Congress, Mayor’s, Councils etc. have allowed to occur so that some group will have a sense of entitlement. It was dumb and short sighted to say the least to give into those demands, and due to the gas crisis those same said counties, cities etc. are screaming. There are some things that Atlanta, Fulton and Dekalb does that just makes more sense for all of their constituents. The privileged and monied few don’t get to call ALL of the shots.

By WillM

June 13, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

GaLiberal says: “These people are basically stealing from me because the $1.75 fare comes nowhere close to covering the operational costs. If these counties will NOT join, then MARTA should raise fares to double or triple the current amount and give Fulton/Dekalb residence as ‘reduced’ fare.”

Now THERE’s an idea I can “get onboard” with. That might be a great indicator of the way of the future my man. Good job!

Btw, Bill’s knee-jerk response “ull your head out of your arse and realize that government is best when it allows the free market system to work.” makes me laugh. Yeah, right. Look at our health-care system, pal. That’s real efficiency. What a joke.

By MANGLER

June 13, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

One current pitfall to MARTA and the bus services beyond the loop (besides not really existing) is that arguably more people don’t actually live or work downtown than do. Ask yourself; are there 5 million+ cubicles in our skyline? Probably 1/10th of that. All transit lines head into the city, which is half of the concept. More people live, work, and play in the burbs than in the city. However, there isn’t any reliable transit for them (yes, suburbanites will use a train if we have them). MARTA needs to have a loop(s) as well as direct access downtown. I would help pay my fare share for it, but nobody has asked me yet.

By Joe

June 13, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

I can’t beleive that the nations #1 Governor actually made a lib like you Jay happy….

By WillM

June 13, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

When I look at the future and think about these robust gas prices which are here to stay (notice I didn’t call them “outrageous”), I get warm and fuzzy thoughts. Maybe this tired old urban-suburban theme (a stand-in for black-white) that’s dominated things for decades is finally about to wash away. No, GaLiberal is on the right track all right (another rail metaphor - no pun intended!). It’s time for the city of Atlanta and Fulton Country to start playing hard ball with these turnstile jumpers whose forefathers repeatedly stuck their thumbs in the eyes of attempts to join regional services such as MARTA.

By zeke

June 13, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

WHAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY! This constant headlong fantasy that rail will do any good for the average taxpayer is ludicrous! It will only rape the taxpayers as this along with marta will require constant subsidies! You cannot make it safe using freight rail lines! You cannot make it efficient because you will not charge enough for fares! You cannot make it work because you will give free or taxpayer subsidized fares in another wealth transfer scheme! If marta and rail are such a great wothwhile option, let the private sector handle it! No, will not happen because it is doomed to failure!!

By GaLiberal is a Moron

June 13, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Hey GaLiberal. You must not realize that MARTA is funded heavily through a 1% sales tax administered in Fulton and Dekalb counties. I don’t live in Fulton County, but I shop there all the time and contribute by paying the MARTA sales tax. This is in addition to the fares I pay for riding. Plus, if you don’t like the way MARTA is set up, direct your anger towards the Democrats. They were the ones that were in power in the 1970s when MARTA was created.

By ralph m. meers

June 13, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Over 10 years ago John Wright, Marta Chairman, Advocated the need for rapid transit from Atlanta to Lovejoy and Beyond. Sonny is a little slow to catch on or was it the Lights that got Sonny’s attention. The best way to describe Sonny is “all talk and no action”

By newkid

June 13, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

So, some of our so-called leaders are just now beginning to see what even Ray Charles could have seen as far back as the mid-1970s. Or perhaps it’s the consistently dogged attention to special interests, rather than blindness, that has for decades inhibited pursuit of insightful alternatives to what has been seen by many to be an almost certain eventuality. My aren’t we ever in good hands? Many thanks Mr. Sonny, and Mr. Roy, and Mr. ….

By Slotl

June 13, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

What good is comuter rail to Griffin? What about Rome, Athens, Macon, Columbus, and the rest of the urban and commercial areas of Georgia?

What happened to the Northern Loop?

By Jack

June 13, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Hey GeorgiaPeach, do you really want gas to go to $8 an hour? Do you think Euro scooters are really the solution? What about the transportation of food, materials & consumer goods? $8 a gallon gas will mean higher prices for everyone on everything, not just automotive fuel. Try to take a little broader perspective on our economy, ok?

By CJ

June 13, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

It’s about time! I know Sonny must not travel around Atlanta much, so he must not have noticed the horrible traffic conditions in the area. I’m grateful he’s finally coming on board the commuter rail train!

By James

June 13, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

The “Brain Train” from Atlanta to Athens (connecting GA Tech / GA State, Emory / CDC, Gwinnett College, UGA / proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility) should be next. Actually, it should be first, but next would be great.

By Jack

June 13, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

Let’s face it, Marta is a failure. Adding one station per five years to a rail system that doesn’t follow the commuter patterns is a joke. We need new ideas, like node-to-node commuter bus service OTP, and local loop transportation around those nodes - areas of commerce like Perimeter Center and Galleria. The proposed Atlanta Streetcar and Beltway projects could be good prototypes.

By MrKnowGood

June 13, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Wow! Wonders never cease. Now if we can only get those clueless, Atlanta-bashing GA legislatures to push for better transportation the way they push for “tax reform” then we should all have better transportation options by 2010.

Imagine the morning rush hour when people (taxpayers) have a choice… you can ride the train on Mon, drive on Tues and Wed, and either way it would only take 15 minutes to get from Alpharetta to downtown!!!

But according to those Atlanta-bashing GA legislatures…Atlanta is only the state’s piggybank and doesn’t deserve to have transportation choice.

By Evelyn

June 13, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

When support for a project is inexplicable, one look for its undisclosed purpose

Understand it is the feds who are pushing this specific rail line , not the state, nor locals. The state auditors said revealed the following: “Projected ridership is 1,540 passengers daily, with fares covering 35 percent to 40 percent of operating costs by the third year. The state, presumably, will be expected to cover the difference.”

So while the undisclosed Federal projects that need this specific rail are no doubt important to the country, the sale for local subsidy has been understandably been difficult. Now we should ask, and know, what was offered by the feds finally get Perdue “onboard”?

By CJO

June 13, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

I live in Smyrna and work 21 miles away on the Emory campus (my office was 3 miles away when I bought my house). Many, if not most, metro-Atlantans are in a similar predicament.

Atlanta to Griffin is fine, but relative to what we need, it’s tiny step. We need metro-wide alternative transportation to get us from suburb to suburb (north, south, east and west).

Kudos to Perdue for finally turning in the right direction. Now if we could only get him to think big and pick up the pace…before it’s too late.

By Kevin

June 13, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Sonny has shown nothing but disdain toward the Metro area since he was elected. He seems to forget that Atlanta is the only think keeping Georgia ahead of Mississippi in the “teeth per capita” rankings.

Atlanta is the economic engine of this state, and he has flipped us off for years. The sooner this buffoon leaves, the better off we’ll be.

By George

June 13, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

They need to have a light rail commuter train from the north to the city. I’d be willing to pay a little more than the $1.75 for MARTA to ride on a clean train. I’m sick of all talks of a train just for the people who live south of the city.

By Do the Math

June 13, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

Too little to late. Transportation construction doubles in cost every ten years. You can’t resurect old projects without serious new money. Sonny will get sticker shock in about a month and we will be back to where we were yesterday.

No leadership.

By bobfromCanton

June 13, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Funny thing, all the complaints about Sonny. Most forget he switched over to be a Republican just to get elected. He still acts like a dem though…..

By Bosch

June 13, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

I’ll believe all this when I see it. They’ll put out a couple of “test” trains, something invariably bad will happen, and the project will be dropped.

Empty promises, from an empty governor.

By Bosch

June 13, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

But then again……..

Which one of Sonny’s buddies stands to gain from the project - that’s where you need to look, Jay.

Nothing on the SonnyDo list gets done without one of his buds getting their pockets lined.

By Bosch

June 13, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

bobfromCanton,

I don’t see too many Democrats trying to shove their morals down other people’s throats like Sonny does.

I don’t see too may Democrats “praying for rain.”

I don’t see too many Democrats (except for rabid Zell Miller) kissing George W. Bush’s backside like Sonny does.

Oh no, Sonny, acts just like the big fat Republican he is.

By Abomi Nation

June 13, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Sonny Perdue switched????

No, Sonny Perdue was kicked out of the Democratic Party after he passed that natural gas deregulation disaster.

By Kim

June 13, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

GRIFFIN??? Are you kidding? Obviously, the decision wasn’t made with regards to actual needs, but rather to benefit someone’s cronies. This project will never get off the ground which, I’m sure is the intention.

By OSIHTG

June 13, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

THE FREE MARKET IS AT WORK-WHILE YOUR GOVERNMENT IS THINKING ABOUT MASS TRASIT, DOZENS OF DOWNTOWN EMPLOYERS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REORGANIZING THEIR BUSINESS TO ALLOW MORE PEOPLE TO TELECOMMUTE. SO BY THE TIME THE GOVERNMENT FIGURES IT OUT, THE WILL BE MORE OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT AND LESS PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY IN ATLANTA. MANY OF THOSE THAT WANTED OUT OF THE CESSPOOL CITY CAN HAVE THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.

By Rob

June 13, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

What happened to the Beltline? That rail project had almost all of the 22 mile loop already in place, and they couldn’t even make that happen. That was the only rail project proposed in recent memory that actually made sense.

Oh, and MARTA is a failure because it doesn’t go anywhere.

I would use it more than I do if they would do like other cities and implement an “express train” from the north side to the airport. When not in peak rush hour, I can drive to the airport faster than MARTA can get me there.

By GriffinMBABulldawg

June 13, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Kim - No, we aren’t kidding. If you did some research, you would know why the rail will first go to Griffin.

For all you liberals condemning Governor Perdue, you should be happy he has gotten behind step one of a massive effort to bring a regional rail system to fruition. You people are never happy, but maybe that’s why you are liberals.

The idea of a regional commuter rail system was first germinated 20 years ago. For future expansion, Griffin is ideally positioned for the Macon/Savannah line and the Columbus. This should allay some of Slotl’s earlier concerns. Griffin will serve as the hub for connections to Macon and Columbus.

The rail lines between Atlanta and Griffin are already in place. Griffin has put in place the necessary infrastructure to accommodate commuter rail by updating the old train station which is conveniently located a few miles from the expanding UGA-Griffin campus.

The big challenge will be economic vitality of the rail system. Will ridership be sufficient to sustain the service. Legislators like Rep. Steve Davis (R-McDonough) have long been resistant to the rail on that basis. I understand his concerns. As a commuter to the Perimeter submarket, I can attest to the fact we need more options like rail, buses and wider roads.

I believe ridership in the Brain Train corridor would have more ridership, but the necessary groundwork is not inplace to advance that line now.

Let’s support Governor Perdue and refrain from name calling. The big challenge will be getting Lt. Gov. Cagle and the neurotic House Speaker Richardson and their Republican majorities behind this effort. Make sure state candidates in your respective districts communicate their position on commuter rail during this campaign season.

By Pee'er Pressure

June 13, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

You saw it person! Where’s your “I survived a Perdue press conference” T-shirt?

By GaLiberal

June 13, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

GaLiberal is a Moron@9:28 AM stupidly said: Hey GaLiberal. You must not realize that MARTA is funded heavily through a 1% sales tax administered in Fulton and Dekalb counties. I don’t live in Fulton County, but I shop there all the time and contribute by paying the MARTA sales tax.

Yes, I DO know there is a 1% sales tax for MARTA operations. That’s exactly my point. The non-Fulton/Dekalb rarely if ever pay that 1%. In fact, many of them left Fulton county to get where they didn’t have to fund MARTA. These are the ones with which I have the problem. They don’t pay their fair share and expect me (and others) to pick up the tab. If you want to play, you have to pay.

Blaming Democrats for decisions made over 30 years ago is laughable. They could not have seen the explosive growth of the metro area. Fulton, Dekalb, and Cobb were the most populated counties so it was believed that federal money, the 1% sales tax, and a $0.15 fare would be good enough. When I moved here in the late ’80s, the fare was still just $0.50. Now many have left Fulton/Dekalb counties reducing tax revenues, there is no federal money and fares are still ridiculously low and operational costs have skyrocketed. So the basic assumptions they made over 30 years ago no longer hold true. It is time for these other counties and the state step up to the plate and quit stealing.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And “GaLiberal is a Moron” is living proof.

By Andrew

June 13, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

http://www.cfpt.org/

One can only hope.

By Andrew

June 13, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

http://www.cfpt.org/

One can only hope.

By Butts Wagner

June 13, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Let’s get some misconceptions out of the way, since I read the same ones every time there is talk of commuter rail/public transport.

Two stroke engines that are commonly found on scooters in Asian and to an extent European cities are far less efficient than cars and actually lead to higher levels of pollution.

Commuter rail, even if implemented throughout the metro area, will not alleviate traffic.

Light rail as commuter rail is the biggest scam. Light rail is streetcars. The only reason it’s ever suggested as commuter rail is because the costs are so much less and politicians can say they want commuter rail and pander to those who support public transport. Heavy rail is the only efficient way to commute by train. Light rail is meant to function in small areas like buses.

If you don’t live in Fulton or Dekalb, you are not funding MARTA through occasional purchases(or partial daily purchases like lunch) in those counties.

Learn from Orlando’s attempt to get commuter rail with promised federal funding. See how other parts of the state can sink it so fast for simple political pandering now that will get them re-elected.

I’m not a big government fan, but more transport choices are better than just driving. Not sure what best solution is, but more options are the way to go.

By SUBURBAN OVERLORD

June 13, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Reading some of these comments, is it any wonder that metro Atlanta lets rural Dixiecrat Cracker politicians like Governor Sonny take our tax money like school yard bullies taking lunch money?

Who thinks that 1) $13 million for buses and 2) allowing an already funded commuter rail project to proceed makes up for decades of redistributing metro Atlanta tax wealth for wasteful projects south of the “Gnat Line?”

No one wants to hear any more nonsense about having every single cent of state money spent in metro Atlanta having to be justified by impossible “business case” thresholds while these thieves waste money in their rural home districts.

By MoonBeam

June 13, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

I for one, would love to ride Llama’s to work. I would brush my Llama’s hair and feed him apples. I would gallop to work to the sounds of harps. It will be so much fun smiling and waving to everyone on the highway as Rainbow (that’s his name) and I trot by with the wind blowing back our long shining hair. No more stinky MARTA trains for me! Someone pinch me!

By sunshine and thunder

June 14, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Rail line from Atlanta to Griffin? Great!!. Would someone please explain to me why anyone from Atlanta would want to go to Griffin on a regular basis - or at all.