Business Insider

By GeezGuys

June 16, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

Thank God Rep. Scott explained to Sonny he’s acting like a dumb hick. Members of Congress are not the only ones bewildered by the State’s failure to address traffic choking Atlanta. Then again, we already knew Sonny is a dumb hick.

By winkasdad29

June 16, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

It’s about time! Gov. Perdue is only 6 years late! I feel he is only supporting a transit plan now because the majority of people is being affected, and it’s politically advantageous for him to do so.

Gov. Roy Barnes’ administration had a statewide transit plan ready years ago. When Sonny became governor, he called the plan (paraphrasing here) unrealistic and financially irresponsible.

Kudos to Sonny for finally getting on board, but how about commuter rail service between Athens and Atlanta as well? Since we are “100 years behind”, some catching up needs to be done. An Athens - Atlanta AND a Griffin - Atlanta line need to be up and running as soon as possible.

As far as funding, the easiest way is a penny sales tax in the 13 Metro Atlanta counties that are in non-compliance with Clean Air standards since those areas have the greatest need. Maybe using some of the gas tax and earmarking it for transit is a good plan as well.

Georgians need to change with the times. The days of one and two-dollar gas are gone, so the culture has to change. This is a great opportunity to bring this state to where it should be - leading the South, not following it.

By Rutherford

June 16, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

You want us to ride on trains with Puff Daddy and Shaniqua?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eXNClwV5AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cragF06qGc

I say “Nay! Nay!”

By T

June 16, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

About Time!

By fsg

June 16, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

The problem with lack of support is that they just keep talking about the train to Lovejoy as if it’s an end in itself. The Gov needs to project a vision - if he were to offer a full network of trains, with this just being the first stage, getting the northern burbs on board would be easier - see Nashville’s Music City Star for an example.

By Jane

June 16, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

While it would be great to increase the number of XPress buses, people still won’t ride them because it takes just as long to get through traffic sitting on a commuter bus as it does sitting in your own personal vehicle. People figure that if they’re going to have to brave traffic anyway, might as well have the convenience of their own car so they can run extra errands, go to a meeting across town, etc. What we need to do is change people’s mindsets. Public transportation isn’t so shunned in other cities.

They need a commuter rail from Douglas County to at least the closest MARTA station, H.E. Holmes. Douglas County/Paulding/Carroll as well have grown so much over the past 10 years and have been completely ignored. TRUST ME, people would use a commuter rail if it was available - have you seen the incoming traffic on I-20?

By zeke

June 16, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

NO! NO! NO! HELL NO! This ridiculous agenda will only tranfer the wealth of the successful to those who are not! THAT IS NOT THE AMERICAN WAY! Rails will never work in Atlanta on a commuter basis without tremendous subsidies of taxpayer money! This is not a realistic solution to the traffic problem! We must ban the hov lanes that accomplish nothing but continued congestion! Just eliminating them will increase traffic flow from 16% to 25% immediately with NO ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF HARD EARNED CONFISCATED TAXPAYER MONEY! Then, build the outer beltway and additional connectors from one part of the city to another to get traffic off the inner beltway and away from the congestion! This could have been done for about $2 billion when initially proposed in the late 80’ or early 90’s! But no, there were more urgent needs according to the elected morons! More marta, more socialist transfers of money from those successful to those not, more arts? venues, more neighborhood giveaways, etc. All this while spending money needed for the transportation solutions, for water and sewer solutions that now will cost users and taxpayers $3 billion or more! Wake up people! These elected morons have no intention of doing the right thing to fix these problems, IT DOES NOT FIT THEIR SOCIALIST AGENDA!!

By Mark

June 16, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

can we get rail or MARTA to parallel I-75 north and south as it does with I-85

By Denny

June 16, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

All trains lead to the City of Atlanta. However, most jobs are not in the City of Atlanta.

Additional problem; the City of Atlanta has more than enough parking spaces. Everyone who wants to be in the City does have a place to park their car.

To get people to use commuter rail we must eliminate about half the parking within the city.

By drego

June 16, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

NO!!!!!!!! look gas is risen but after that crazy girl on the train I would rather drive instead of choke slamming someone who doesn’t want to take their meds.I not going to jail because you don’t like your meds and your family too sorry to watch you!

By M. R. Biggins

June 16, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Georgia, do an extensive study of South Florida’s Tri-Rail system before you commit to commuter rail.

By $ Bill

June 16, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Rutherford: PLEASE get a life! It’s racists like you who spread hate.

On to the topic at hand. I would LOVE to support the need for commuter rail!

Although I think it won’t come a fast as is needed, the opportunity to experience other transit alternatives will benefit the area. Yes, the costs are high but such an investment into the infrastructure will have a positive impact as our quality of life and the areas increasing population. The NJ Transit commuter line in North Jersey is a good example of progress in motion.

By Steeeeeev

June 16, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

After careful analysis, it is clear that rail upgrades of every sort (passenger and freight) are the best infrastructure investment we can now make. Trains are the most fuel-efficient way of moving loads from point A to point B, period. Having every little ant start up a motorized metal box and pilot it down a concrete ribbon is sometimes convenient, but nowhere near as fuel-efficient as a string of cans on rails that all the ants climb into. This is long overdue. : ) S

By Behind Enemy Lines

June 16, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Virtually no interest in the plan at all.

MARTA has shown how not to run a mass transit system and I have no confidence at all that this latest proposal wouldn’t ultimately be grossly mismanaged the same way, which renders it completely useless to me.

By CCT express rider

June 16, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

I disagree with Jane on one point and totally agree with her on another. Increasing Xpress buses is an immediate band aid to help bus overcrowding - which is happening frequently coming in from Douglas and Paulding now. I have more time than money (i think most bus riders are in the same boat as me) so the extra time is worth not having to fight arseholes on the highways myself.

i do agree that if there was a light rail at Arbor place or thornton to hook up with HEHOLmes - i’d do that too. sometimes the ride on marta is very entertaining. It’s good for getting the adrenaline flowing first thing in the morning too.

By HUGH

June 16, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

a commuter rail line to Lovejoy and Griffin as a pilot project? Why not just move forward with a project on the northside of Atlanta. After all, we are doing something that is new or exotic and needs to be studied to make a decision.

By bronxchic

June 16, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

When I lived in NY ( Rockland county) I took the express bus into Port Authority(42nd St)there was a designated bus route along the NJ turnpike and into the Lincoln Tunnel. Why can’t the Expess buses here do the same thing? And please add more express buses available with later times! Start early am and continue late! Start charging more to park in ATL downtown and you might get me ridership. Have more buses in Doughlasville, Villa Rica, Temple, Bremen etc. With gas at over $4.00 a gallon ATL must start acting like a major player instead of thinging small.

By Ok

June 16, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Although, the full system may not be realized during our lifetime, atleast future generations will be able to take the subway from turner field to Stonecrest Mall or from Snellville to the airport with out having to switch trains downtown.

With gas prices OVER $4.00 a gallon in Georgia, Sunny’s agreement is a ride in the right direction.

By Ok

June 16, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Although, the full system may not be realized during our lifetime, atleast future generations will be able to take the subway from turner field to Stonecrest Mall or from Snellville to the airport with out having to switch trains downtown.

With gas prices OVER $4.00 a gallon in Georgia, Sunny’s agreement is a ride in the right direction.

By Dave

June 16, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand how Cobb county would not be the next area to get commuter rail when this is where there are so many people. Why would Griffin be chosen first or is it like always where politicians have friends who have land to sell in Griffin and are willing to pony up campaign contributions and share the wealth with these politicians.

By say huh

June 16, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

I agree with Dave. I live in Smyrna, and work in Kennesaw. I see the 75 south parking lot every morning, and see the 75 north parking lot every evening. I say have a rail that will follow 575 and connect at 75, or 285. Have a rail to the airport from the north. Don’t know much about what it would do for griffin, but for now….makes no logic to me. But then again, I am only one person here looking at some crazy onramp traffic lights.

By DebraL

June 16, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

An extensive train system would be of such great benefit to this state. Atlanta to Macon and Atlanta to Dalton and Atlanta to Athens was slated for 2003 completion if I’m not mistaken. The population growth of Georgia requires it and can support it. And it can be built relatively fast and we would see reduction in pollution and congestion immediately. Go Sonny!

By Beck

June 16, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Dave & say huh,

By BPJ

June 16, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

One thing that seems to confuse people is the usual reference to an “Atlanta-Lovejoy train” or “Atlanta-Athens” etc. The commuter trains are designed to have several stops (6 or 8 in most cases). In many commuter rail systems, there are often express trains as well. Take a look at the DOT website for a map of the entire planned system: text to be linked. We have to start somewhere, so get this line running, then the “Brain Train” toward Athens, and continue building out the whole system.

The Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead area is by far the largest office market in the region, and access to that area would be greatly enhanced by commuter rail. For peripheral transit in metro Atlanta, buses are typically the best fit.

It would also take cars off the road, thus benefitting those who choose to drive. This never seems to occur to people who don’t want to ride transit - it takes some of those other cars out of your way. Even MARTA, mismanaged and underfunded as it is, takes around 200,000 cars off the road daily.

It also never seems to occur to some transitphobes (e.g. Rutherford) that there are also some scary people out there behind the wheel of a car. Per mile traveled, driving is more than 7 times more dangerous than rail (from a survey in The Economist).

By Road scholar

June 16, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Jane: The point you make in that the BRT buses are in the same traffic/ lanes as the other vehicles is partially correct.

In some of the focus groups interviewed in doing the HOV Strategic Plan (yes there is one- see the GDOT web page) and Managed Lane Study, most who use the bus stated that they saved money, and could plan there days to use transit. What was interesting was the number who stated they used transit esp BRT, to reduce stress. One gentleman, a very strong, person, stated that he had enough strees AT work and did not want any more traveling to/from work.

Do you really need to make multiple trips every day?

By stay home

June 16, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

I’ve got a better idea. Find a way to reward companies who find ways to have their employees work from home. I bet there are a high percentage of “office” jobs that can be conducted at home…including mine.

By weights and standards

June 16, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

what are we waiting on gas is now 4 dollar a gallon . We are moving to slow. we need rail service that people can go to work on and the state must have companies building close to rail service so companys can use this service for there employee. This take planning and fosite . Oil is killing this nation. hydrogen fuel should be where we move to replace oil. We need more R&D and investment not drilling for more oil that china will run the price up more and more(10 Gal.).

Hydrogen stations to fill up by 2015. This is for the life blood of this nation. Oil will be like AIDS to this nation if we don’t move fast. The USA has to get off the sauce Fast we have the know how, we just need a government mandate to make this happen.

It would be nice to see the free market make the move but they are not thinking about saving the country only selling it to make money. What are your kids going to do if we sell every thing and make nothing at home (USA). Low cost fuel is what make this nation Great! Brazil made a fuel mandate in the 70’s and they are booming now no Oil inports. We can do the same “yes we can” american!

By Emma

June 16, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

I just got back from New York and rode the Subway everywhere I rode it with out any problems and all I could think about was I wish we had something like this in Atlanta. Because the GAS is killing me!!! For those of you that are against it I guess the gas prices are satisfactory to you so in that case, can you please email me your information so that I can send you my address so you know where to send my gift cards for gas. I use about $80.00 every 4-5 days.

By BlueMoon

June 16, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

It takes leadership to put together a solid commuter transportation plan and don’t have it in the Mayors office or the governors office. AD Frazier when he was the head of the Chicago Stock Exchange even said ATL didn’t have the leadership to put together a sound system. Nothing has changed. The idea sounds great but as always the execution will be lacking. Just look at MARTA, it’s definitely not SMARTA. Dumbest slogan I’ve ever seen for something so disfunctional. People need to be able to get close to their jobs in order for commuter transportation to work, but I’m sure they’ll drop the ball again and waste our money.

By Choo-Choo Charlie

June 16, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Since I can now take my gun with me on trains to protect myself and my old lady from the Mike Vick Lovers, degenerates, Hip-Hop Thug wannabes and Osama for Prez Morons, I will probably be more inclined to take the train.

By Jason

June 16, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

BlueMoon, why would you look to the mayor’s office for leadership on a regional issue? All too often the City of Atlanta gets the blame for regional issues. The city population is about 10% of that of the metro. The city can’t force suburban counties like Cobb and Gwinnett to fund mass transit any more than the State of Idaho can force people in Florida to eat five potatoes a day.

If there is to be a solution, it needs to be regional. And that solution has to be something other than the one thing that the region has been able to agree on: blame the City of Atlanta for any problem, no matter the true cause.

By Kimberly

June 16, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

I’m with Jane! Do something about us west-side, Douglas County folk who are IGNORED by HOV, MARTA, our civic leaders for public transportation!!!

By newkid

June 16, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

“Let’s move out aggressively,” Perdue said. “Once I’ve made up my mind, I’m usually impatient.”

Laughable. Sounds like the fire chief who stands by and watches 8 floors of a 10 story building go up in smoke before he ‘makes up his mind’ that he needs to get on with fighting the fire. Absolutely dreadful.

To the youngsters out there who’ll inherit this great state and its future, let’s hope you have the wisdom to thoroughly banish those harboring this sort of backwards thinking as you select tomorrow’s leaders. If the past is prologue and this is indeed what you should continue to expect from the men who stand for election, you’d do well to identify a cadre of young independently minded women not connected to the ‘good ole boy’ network, and support their candidacy in future polling.

By CDB

June 16, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Many downtown and midtown workers do not know about the GRTA, CCT, and Gwinnett buses because they are not advertised. Also, the schedules are hard if you work odd hours. I worked for over 2 years downtown before I knew that I could drive 4 1/2 miles to a CCT park-n-ride, and sleep or read on my way to work. Yes, it adds about 30-40 minutes total a day to my commute, but with gas prices and parking costs, it’s a no-brainer. I will continue to ride the CCT bus to and from work until that long-ago promised train is built on I-75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Still waiting on word about that one!

By Curt

June 16, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

All of you super conservative ‘know you’re right’ minded people…listen up. If you want to keep all of your money and choose exactly where it goes and not care about the people, the city, the society around you fine. But please try to think about how the world works! It is not about every man for himself. Every community where multiple people live is a system where every person does their part. Those who are wealthy are only wealthy becuase they have roads to drive to their wealthy offices in their wealthy cars. They might be the better educated harder workers, but they are DEPENDENT on those less fortunate to create the infrastructure. To localize tax money to your county or your regional ‘city’ is fair only inf you stay out of all the other cities that are filled with mainly ‘unsuccesful’ people. If you are a well off and succesful conservative and don’t like being taxed too much and don’t want to help pay for a mass transit system immenating out of atlanta and Fulton county THEN stay off the connector! Don’t use Hartsfield! Don’t ever tell anyone you are from ‘Atlanta’. If you do any of those things you are taking advantage of those who live in THEIR local areas and builf THEIR infrastructure.

Finally, all of the super conservatices need to read the history books. How many successful civilizations have grown from suburbanite minded communities. EVERYONE in the metro area that even uses the word Atlanta in anything they do should feel obligated to pay taxes to help the city as a whole. And don’t use sensationalized stereotypes as an arguing point on why an expansion of mass transit would be bad.

We will either all work together, or we will fall. If Atlanta proper collapses the metro area will aswell.

Shame on those who only think about themselves.

By John

June 16, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

To all those people that think that you will be riding commuter trains with the trash that rides MARTA you’re sadly mistaken. Commuter rails aren’t like local public transportation systems. They cost more to ride and stop in fewer places. If you live in Canton or Marietta or Athens you would drive to the rail station and ride the train into town. The system is meant to be used for getting back and forth to work and not everyday use like local rail does. It runs on strict schedules that aren’t as frequent as, say a MARTA train. It’s not the same. Bums have no use for commuter rail.

Go up to Chicago and see how the Metra system differs from CTA. You’ll be surprised. Commuter rail is greatly needed here and not an extension of MARTA.

By B.J.

June 16, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

It’s about time. The GA DOT and garail.com has had a statewide passenger rail plan for over 10 years. In Europe, the rail is the main source of travel and is very great. Gas over there is over $7/gal. The Atlanta-Lovejoy-Griffin-Macon rail line was to be up and running years ago but was haulted for some reason. We wait until gas gets to $4 to make a move. It would be nice for people in Macon to catch the train to the Atl airport and not have to worry about paying for parking. Or catching a train to a sporting event. Ex: Having a charter party train to a UGA football game. Or have just an excursion train to Savannah that will increase tourism around the state. This would bring revenue to the state.

By southfulton

June 16, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

By southfulton

June 16, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

By weights and standards

June 16, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

If you like conservative let look at what they have done for america. Gas prices, sub prime, low wages, no child left behine, a war, Family values gone(GOP), the country now borrow money from every country. conservative mean slow to change. You have been in power to long you don’t know the country needs nor do you care and to selfrightish won’t help real nations needs. we need more than just tax cut we need leadership for america needs and fuels in one real need. we need all kind of new fuels. conservative is now a code word and it now means no help for it people , and stay the course even if we cash and burn as a nation !

By Nodnarb

June 16, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Not going to happen. White folks don’t want to make it easier for Black folks to come to their area. So out of ignorance, if they are able to vote on this, I am 99.9% sure that they will vote no.

By Bob

June 16, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Gotta love projects that only benefit a small minority of Georgians. I’m sure everyone will be paying for it, though.

By Nodnarb

June 16, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Bob, and I am sure that all the tax money that comes from the metro Atlanta area stays in the metro Atlanta area, right? Also, most of the other state issues are influenced by metro Atlanta area and not rural Georgia, right?

By You're Kidding

June 16, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Why does every blog in the AJC degenerate into a black v. white, gay v. straight, Dem v. Repub mess? We’re taking about mass transit. STAY ON TOPIC YOU FOOLS!

By You're Kidding

June 16, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Why does every blog in the AJC degenerate into a black v. white, gay v. straight, Dem v. Repub mess? We’re taking about mass transit. STAY ON TOPIC YOU FOOLS!

By Michael

June 16, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Its a Commuter rail Stupid, not Mass Transit. It will be a totally different class of people that will be riding the trains.

1st The train will be more expensive then MARTA. 2nd It will only run during rush hour for the business travelers. 3rd It will be run by the state, which will means the train will a lot cleaner and safer.

By dmscar

June 16, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

It would be great to see a commuter rail system within this life time. As a commuter, I only wish it would extend beyond Griffin. There are numerous people who commute from Atlanta to Macon daily. I know because I’m one of them.

As Denny stated, “most jobs are not in the city of Atlanta”. More and more company’s are moving outside of the city limits.

A commuter rail is long overdue. Atlanta is often referred to at the NY of the South, but it has a lonnnnnggggggg way to go. Northern city’s never shut down and are reachable from almost everywhere. Marta shuts down after eleven and has a limited reach.

I’m a native Atlantan and even I have to admit my city is far too behind.

I hope we don’t have to wait another 10 years to see anything come of this new agenda.

By MARTA

June 16, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

Rutherford Apparently the PC police didn’t care for one of your videos. I must say that the girl acting out is not the norm for MARTA, but the homeless and mentally ill are.

Too bad that the people in Alpharetta and Dunwoody have to support the system.

It’s a shame that MARTA cannot control the human debris that travel on the system. The stations in the City of Atlanta all smell like urine.

Sonny, about time you woke up since you’ve been asleep for 6+ years. Why don’t you just pray for traffic to go away. Worked for the drought..

By Nodnarb

June 16, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

You’re Kidding, if you are talking specifically to me, I don’t usually talk about race in these blogs because most of the time there is no merit. As far commuter rails, you can take MARTA for example (I know it’s not a commuter rail), it is not in certain areas for a reason, and it is not because that area doesn’t like convenience. People voted for public transportation not to come to there area to try to keep minorities out of their areas. People have been very vocal about this. So the question on this blog is: Will Georgians support commuter rail?. So I think I stayed on topic because I answered the question and also gave a reason. I do agree that race is brought into these blogs way too often, but I feel my response had some merit in it. To michael, I never specified what class of people, I just said Black people, or minorities in general. Let’s be honest, in many parts of Georgia, it doesn’t matter what class a minority falls in, all White folks in certain areas see is skin color and the possibility of some minority moving to their area. This scares certain White people, and because of that, they would vote no. I know that the commuter rail is not MARTA, but anything that brings change to some areas in Georgia is a no no. The only other reason I see that someone would vote no on this is because of money and with gas prices going up, I think that will have less influence on the voters.

By R1070

June 16, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Atlanta will not be ready for transit until people feel safe on the trains. this has nothing to do with a certain race of people but a certain quality of people that is present. After viewing youtube videos and from a personal encounter I had 2 years ago ( and havent set foot on marta since!) I can completely understand why people would not want to use it. which is unfortunate because when i go to DC or Chicago I love using the trains there. you have a better mix of people and dont feel like your safety is at risk. Perhaps if they had security on the trains doing rounds people would then feel more positive and these degenerate few that give marta a bad image will calm down and leave people to a peaceful enjoyable commute.

By Leigh

June 16, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

What I don’t understand is why Griffen/Lovejoy? I live in Lithonia and travel to Alpharetta daily. Most of the jobs are not of Atlanta so why not put this in motion north of atlanta. If I were to ride the train I would have to drive 20 mins to Indian Creek and then ride to N. Springs then try my best to find a ride to go near north point mall. Then probably walk about a half a mile.

Gas is really expensive but I would rather drive then do all of that. No Xpress bus comes up to Alpharetta during the time I work.

By southfulton

June 16, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Bold: Marta:Its obvious you do not ride on Marta Trains. The stations do NOT smell like Urine. Most are actually clean…it just seems a little too dark sometimes. In addition, I live in South fulton (and not the city of Atlanta), we don’t have train station either but I’m paying for Marta just like Alpharetta and Milton. Actually Dunwoody has a station and a very, very nice one…hmmmm.

By lk

June 16, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

**Commuter lines are the only way to prevent the Atlanta metro area from choking on itself – literally and economically. Traffic congestion right now is the greatest threat to the City’s economic health, our personal health and our environment. Traffic concerns are already deterring Fortune 500 companies and other major companies and organizations from locating headquarters and hub offices here. Atlanta needs long-term systemic solutions to moving people around in order to sustain and grow the economic engine that drives the whole state. Building more roads is about the most near-sighted and regressive solution as could possibly be imagined.

I just don’t understand folks that think people won’t ride commuter lines if you build them unless those nay-sayers have never tried public transit or visited other cities that have great public transit. Give people credit. People are smart enough to weigh the costs and benefits of their actions and choose based on those valuations when given alternatives. That’s why public transit ridership has jumped up drastically in the last year – especially in Southern cities! (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/business/10transit.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) We need to invest in infrastructure to give people alternatives and that means commuter lines (and improving and supplementing MARTA – a separate issue).

If you don’t care about the economy of Atlanta (and by extension the State), and you don’t care about your own health, and you don’t care about the immediate environment you live in everyday, then I guess commuter lines don’t sound like a great idea. Personally, I think the idea of relaxing and reading the paper on the way to work without the stress of traffic or the cost of paying for gas; or having a visiting scholar fly into our international airport and give a lecture at Georgia Tech or Emory and then heading up to UGA to visit without ever getting a car; or connecting people all over our sprawling metro area with each other, their work places and our international airport; or maybe just taking the train up Athens for Game Day all sound like pretty good uses of taxpayer money to me.**

By lk

June 16, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

**Commuter lines are the only way to prevent the Atlanta metro area from choking on itself – literally and economically. Traffic congestion right now is the greatest threat to the City’s economic health, our personal health and our environment. Traffic concerns are already deterring Fortune 500 companies and other major companies and organizations from locating headquarters and hub offices here. Atlanta needs long-term systemic solutions to moving people around in order to sustain and grow the economic engine that drives the whole state. Building more roads is about the most near-sighted and regressive solution as could possibly be imagined.

I just don’t understand folks that think people won’t ride commuter lines if you build them unless those nay-sayers have never tried public transit or visited other cities that have great public transit. Give people credit. People are smart enough to weigh the costs and benefits of their actions and choose based on those valuations when given alternatives. That’s why public transit ridership has jumped up drastically in the last year – especially in Southern cities! (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/business/10transit.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) We need to invest in infrastructure to give people alternatives and that means commuter lines (and improving and supplementing MARTA – a separate issue).

If you don’t care about the economy of Atlanta (and by extension the State), and you don’t care about your own health, and you don’t care about the immediate environment you live in everyday, then I guess commuter lines don’t sound like a great idea. Personally, I think the idea of relaxing and reading the paper on the way to work without the stress of traffic or the cost of paying for gas; or having a visiting scholar fly into our international airport and give a lecture at Georgia Tech or Emory and then heading up to UGA to visit without ever getting a car; or connecting people all over our sprawling metro area with each other, their work places and our international airport; or maybe just taking the train up Athens for Game Day all sound like pretty good uses of taxpayer money to me.**

By CJ

June 16, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Yes! I support the train system. We need to start somewhere, and Griffin to Atlanta is better than nothing.

Next step: connect areas of Atlanta other than downtown!

By Michael

June 16, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Nodnarb, I wasn’t referring to you. I was just making a broad statement to all the people that compare the MARTA to commuter rail. We really have to make people that commuter rail and MARTA are two totally different concepts.

Second, there is plan to build a commuter rail from Athens to downtown, its called the Brain Train because it connects UGA, Emory and Georgia Tech. http://www.georgiabraintrain.com/

Third, there are express bus services to Alpharetta, but that is still a pain in the butt. MARTA has plans to extended the line to Windward and I think if more people starting riding the trains, there will be more incentive for MARTA to expand. The key is Gwinnett county. Will they support the MARTA on the July 15th ballot. So far it looks good.

By art

June 16, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

To all of the stupid non-traveling public that say public transit is a no go for this region…Wait till the gas goes up to 8.00, go right ahead and spend you’re money to be country elite driving a car, or keep polluting the air/ land until people no longer want to live here! I’m sure you will love to pay the taxes for that mess. Grow up… As for the hicks that say that transit will not work in the south, it did for generations, until the tire/ auto industry paid off the politicos of the day so that the car would become king….Learn your history fools! So, so tired of the ignorant hicks in the south, please hurry up and get some brains, or get old and #*e!

By Binh

June 16, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

zeke soiled his pants: <>

So you’d rather have MORE of your wealth going to car dealers, oil companies, and Arabs? Even with rail subsidies, you will be spending LESS on transportation than you do on gas, car payment, insurance, etc. Ive been taking the train to work for 3 years in Dallas and saved over $21,000. I have bank statements to prove it.

By Binh

June 16, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

zeke soiled his pants: <>

So you’d rather have MORE of your wealth going to car dealers, oil companies, and Arabs? Even with rail subsidies, you will be spending LESS on transportation than you do on gas, car payment, insurance, etc. Ive been taking the train to work for 3 years in Dallas and saved over $21,000. I have bank statements to prove it.

By Thrash

June 16, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this

Commuter rail will be useless in the metro, too thin of a density. Save the money, it’ll be wasted on rail.

By professional skeptic

June 17, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

The money will not be wasted on rail. The density will happen. The Atlanta-Lovejoy line is just a START. I’m not entirely certain why the Atlanta-Athens line, or a line going up I-75N wouldn’t take priority, but at this point any investment in rail is a good start. Our region stands to benifit in numerous ways from having commute alternatives.

Please remember, our beloved roads are here to stay. No one is taking them away from us. We’re simply now choosing to diversify our transportation investments going forward.

By Jet Graphics

July 1, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

How to fund electrified rail mass transit Instead of giving tax payer support, give (partial) tax exemption. Make the exemption a sliding scale inversely proportional to miles of track in service, passengers carried, energy efficiency, noise, convenience, and so on and on. A 1/10 tax rate is worse than a 1/100, and so forth. Hopefully, the transit companies can drive their tax liability to 1/1000000000 or better. Then we all can breathe (literally and figuratively) a sigh of relief.