On Nov. 4, Clayton County voters have a chance to embrace a transportation plan that county leaders say is more tailored to their needs than TSPLOST, the $7.2 billion regional plan rejected by voters two years ago.
If voters agree to join MARTA , the community then will help decide through a series of public hearings where and how often buses will flow through the county, MARTA officials said. If passed, the referendum represents the first time the MARTA transit system will have been expanded in more than 40 years. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently spoke with MARTA board chairman Robert L. “Robbie” Ashe III about what the Nov. 4 referendum means for Clayton and, quite possibly, the region. Here’s what he had to say.
Q. What do you hope the Clayton vote signals to other counties?
A. It's a tremendous opportunity for Clayton to provide intra-county mobility and then mobility throughout the (MARTA) system. The good news is they're joining a system that's already built out. More broadly, it would send a tremendous signal of validation of the hard work MARTA has done. Five years ago, MARTA was not in a financial place where we'd be talking about system expansion. MARTA is now in a place where we're having serious conversations as a transit and transportation solution for new partners. I'm hoping a successful vote in Clayton, followed by a successful rollout within Clayton, would send a signal to other counties that transit is something to vote for, if given the chance, and that MARTA is an option to consider.
Q. How much money is likely to be raised (through the penny-sales tax tied to the MARTA referendum) and where will that money go?
A. The penny sales tax would raise about $45 million a year. The Clayton plan is for 40 years, just as it is for Fulton, DeKalb and Atlanta. Clayton also would get two voting members on the (12-member) MARTA board.
Q. Some residents fear Clayton’s money will be used to shore up existing Fulton and DeKalb services. Will that money be used to finance or enhance other counties’ MARTA services?
A. No.
Q. If Clayton voters agree to join MARTA, how soon would it be before services start? And what form of public transit can Clayton riders expect to see initially?
A. Limited service would start in early 2015. We'll be doing robust bus service and paratransit service starting in the Spring of 2015. We've also committed to the Clayton County Commission to develop a high-capacity option.
Q. When would high-capacity option start and what would that look like?
A. We're hoping to deliver commuter rail. We're currently working with Norfolk Southern to try to use their rail lines that run through Clayton to run commuter rail that would connect to our existing MARTA train system in East Point. If not commuter rail, then bus rapid transit.
Q. If everything works out with Norfolk Southern when could Clayton expect rail service?
A. Because the right of way exists now and because we believe this project would be eligible for significant federal money, we believe we could have an operating commuter rail in Clayton within five to seven years.
Q. What assurances can you give Clayton residents that they will actually get a rail system in the county?
A. We have every incentive to get this right. We're absolutely committed to getting it right. Again, it's Norfolk Southern's right-of way. We have to negotiate with them. Both sides — MARTA and Norfolk Southern — have a strong incentive to get the deal done. We think we can do what we need to do on their system without impeding their operations while making a significant investment in their corridor.
Q. What is your involvement in getting the Clayton referendum passed?
A. As an individual, I'm an advocate for it. I've been helping to raise money to support the YES campaign. I'm not trying to tell Clayton folks how to vote. I don't raise money as MARTA chairman. I do it as a private individual. I'm not a government employee.
Q. How much have you raised?
A. It's on the order of tens of thousands of dollars.
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