Last week: How should MARTA expand into North Fulton?
MARTA is taking steps to expand mass transit through North Fulton, from the present heavy rail terminus at the North Springs station to Windward Parkway. The drivers include the need to take cars off of often-slammed Ga. 400 and other roads and utilizing transit as a catalyst for economic development.
The MARTA board voted on what’s dubbed “a locally preferred alternative,” expanding heavy rail from North Springs northward. But as environmental planning work gets underway, two different bus rapid transit possibilities following roughly the same route remain alive.
When we asked what you think, a majority of respondents said they prefer heavy rail as a better, more seamless way to move a larger volume of passengers. But it’s clear that bus rapid transit has its adherents as well, with supporters contending it would be cheaper and more environmentally gentle.
Here are excerpts from several responses:
Getting from point A to point B should be, if at all possible, seamless. Boarding a bus at Windward Parkway, possibly sitting in traffic to travel to the North Springs MARTA station and getting of to take the train would make this option less desirable. My vote is to extend heavy rail . — Joe Saurini
I understand the need to carry as many people as possible, however I would still rather see bus service (because) the massive destruction of our green space is out of control. — Sally Matteson
I think there would be many long-term advantages to extending the train line northward, not the least of which would be speed, cleaner air and less traffic congestion. I have always found MARTA's train service to be safe, easy and reliable. — Teresa Stryker
The new managed lanes on I-75 will prove that express buses are difficult to beat. — David Welden
Unfortunately, while the managed lane corridor(one of the two BRT proposals) provides a short-term patch, it's not a permanent solution for North Fulton's transportation challenges for many reasons. Designated lanes for buses take lanes from cars. I have to believe that from an environmental standpoint that buses pollute more than trains. And time is money. Significant time is lost in bus stops and the bus/train transfer process. — John Mulholland
Most bus rapid transit projects cost less than rail, but by that same token, the usually carry fewer passengers because people don't like to ride the bus. — Jock Ellis
Earlier this month the Stockbridge City Council convened a special called meeting for a hearing to consider charges the city made against council member Robin Buschman relating to her duties as a member of the city’s Downtown Development Authority. Buschman is the only council member who is also a member of the DDA, which has been in litigation with city for more than a year.
The debate is over votes Buschman cast at DDA meetings March 30 and April 3. A letter from the city’s investigator stated that those votes were “incompatible with the proper discharge of your official duties as a sitting council member in violation of [the city charter] and/or your oath of office.”
The letter went on to cite another section of the charter that provides for her removal from office if the council finds that she committed any of the charges.
Buschman disputed the charges vigorously and called them purely political.
The May 11 hearing lasted five hours with no resolution, and since then the state Attorney General’s office has opined that the city council may have violated Open Meetings law relating to one of the DDA meetings in question.
But as for the possibility of her removal from office by her peers, what do you think? It is in the charter of more than one city in Georgia, but should a governing body be able to kick out one of its own who was duly elected by the voters of that municipality? Or is the city council justified in its interpretation of the city charter.
We want to hear from you. Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com.
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