From Georgia House Bill 277, The Transportation Investment Act of 2010: “The State of Georgia, particularly the metropolitan Atlanta region, faces a number of critical issues relating to its transportation system and ever-increasing traffic congestion. In light of the dwindling resources available to help solve the problems, it is imperative that all available resources be used to maximum efficiency in order to alleviate the gridlock in and around the metropolitan Atlanta region. There exists a need for a thorough examination of our current transportation system and the methodical development of legislative proposals for a regional transit governing authority in Georgia.”
From the preliminary report of the Joint Transit Governance Study Commission: “In order to understand the enormous importance transit systems have upon the interconnectivity and economic development of the Atlanta region, one only needs to see the number of total ‘trips’ provided by the operating entities. In 2009, the five largest transit providers (MARTA, GRTA, CCT, GCT, and Cherokee County Transit) combined to provide approximately 165 million ‘trips’ for the citizens and visitors to the metro Atlanta region.”
From the commission’s final report: “Because the transit services in most need of streamlining efforts and management coordination activities are those that cross county and city boundaries, state government representatives should be given this responsibility.”
From the Jan. 23 final report of the Transit Governance Task Force: “Based on the evaluation of various agencies and authorities ... the TGTF determined that the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority was the best fit to serve as the transit governance agency.”
From 2011 conceptual legislation by the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Transit Committee: “The General Assembly of Georgia recognizes that providing mass transit is an essential public purpose that enhances public health, safety and welfare.
“The intent of this Act is to acknowledge the significant responsibilities of the state and local governments in addressing multi-jurisdictional transit needs by establishing additional tools to plan, finance, construct, operate, maintain and manage mass transit systems of regional importance.”
