Fresh Loaf

Jim Walls at Atlanta Unfiltered, muckraking extraordinaire and recent Best of Atlanta recipient, has some excellent posts with a transit twist on two state lawmakers. One of them also deals with public toilets. We know it’s early, so read at your own risk.

First, there’s Rep. Doug Stoner, D-Smyrna, and his emplyment with an engineering firm that’s conducted work for MARTA.

Then we have Rep. Jill Chambers, R-Dunwoody. On Saturday, the lawmaker told MARTA board members they could lose their seats if  the transit agency signs a $160,000 annual contract with a lobbying firm.

Check ‘em out.

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It’s gonna cost you a little bit extra to take MARTA starting today.

From the AJC:

Starting Thursday, MARTA fares will go up for the first time since 2001, parking fees will rise, and children will have to pass a height requirement to ride free [ed. !], according to MARTA.

Regular fares are now $2, monthly passes are $60, and monthly passes for the Mobility handicapped service are $108. Both monthly and Mobility passes are expected to rise in cost in following years. Parking fees have also gone up by $1.

The fare hike, which was approved earlier this year after state lawmakers once again failed to ease MARTA’s funding restrictions, follows service cuts and other cost-saving measures.

MARTA General Manager and CEO Bev Scott has made clear in the past that such measures still won’t solve the transit system’s financial woes. New sources of revenue and changes to its funding formula must be found to keep buses and trains a-movin’.

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The most depressing (and eye-opening) video of the day comes courtesy of Citizens for Progressive Transit, the metro region’s biggest advocate for getting residents out of their cars.

Atlanta was first among such peer cities as Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle to build a transit system. But then its expansion came to a screeching halt. And as you can see below, it’s now got a lot of catching up to do.

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Ah, MARTA oversight committee meetings. They must be really fun for transit officials, ya know?

According to Atlanta Unfiltered’s Jim Walls and the AJC’s Ariel Hart, yesterday’s meeting of the state committee tasked with overseeing how MARTA spends public dollars was the usual “berate-the-transit-agency-to-which-we-contribute-little-if-anything.”

States Rep. Jill Chambers, R-Dunwoody, who chairs the committee and has a reputation for ripping into MARTA, lit into transit honchos for their consulting deals. (Last week she picked up a 2010 opponent for her North DeKalb seat in Elena Parent. So she might not have been too happy.)

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• Estimated cost of the new 14th Street Bridge in Midtown, which opened Sept. 3: $88.5 million
• Number of months that commuters lost the use of the east-west route across I-75/85: 16
• Number of months ahead of schedule work crews completed construction: 4
• Number of motorists, at most, the previous bridge served each day: 18,000
• Width, in feet, of the new bridge’s sidewalk to accommodate pedestrians: 15
• Number of bike lanes created with new bridge design: 0
• Number of Midtown bike lanes cyclists could safely use to access the new bridge: 0
• Number of east-west MARTA routes that operate in Atlanta: 1
• Estimated number of hours Atlanta motorists waste in traffic each year: 57

Sources: Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, Midtown Alliance, Texas Transportation Institute

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White elephant

And it’s … Perimeter Center. Specifically, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, which is, as far as I can tell, a fairly anonymous office building a stone’s throw from the plush Cox Enterprises headquarters.

Newsroom employees were alerted mere minutes ago to their impending relocation by an interoffice memo. The timeframe for the move is apparently “the end of the second quarter”— in other words, June-ish.

One intown AJCer we spoke to said being forced to commute outside the Perimeter will be offset by the fact that the new location is essentially across the street from the Perimeter Center MARTA station — and Perimeter Mall, with its busy food court.

I’m told editor Julie Julia Wallace was just seen strolling the newsroom to gauge the reaction of the staff. I’m further told most folks are just glad they won’t have to schlep up to Gwinnett.

Inconvenience aside, the real news here is that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the daily newspaper for one of the country’s largest metropolitan areas, is abandoning downtown for the ‘burbs after 141 years. I’m told several other major dailies have done the same thing, but I can’t imagine how this could be a positive trend. But then, in the newspaper biz, very little is positive these days…

Oh, while I was writing this, the AJC posted its own article about the move.

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1. Beltline proposal near Piedmont Park prompts concerns about density (How dense is too dense at 10th and Monroe?)

2. Thoughts on passing of Atlanta LGBT rights leader Allen Thornell (Beloved activist, 38, dies after suffering a stroke.)

3. Letter to editor about Georgia reservoirs hilariously suburban (Second only to CL, the Marietta Daily Journal has some of the best letters to the editor.)

4. Oxendine attacks Obama on behalf of big donors (The Ox has to look out for his base — which, is, of course, big insurance companies.)

5. MARTA service cuts start Aug. 15 (Bus route 23 — which runs along Peachtree, linking Midtown to Buckhead — gets the axe.)

(Photo courtesy Atlanta Beltline Inc.)

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MARTA will make cuts to bus and train service on August 15, a move transit officials say is necessary to pull the metro Atlanta’s largest people mover out of a budget shortfall.

Transit officials call next Saturday’s cuts some of the most severe in MARTA’s 43-year history. Bus routes 23 and 182 will be totally eliminated. More than 40 other routes will adjusted. If you feel like it takes forever for a train to arrive, well, you’re gonna have to wait a little longer. Oh, and starting Oct. 1, fares and parking fees will increase 25 cents and $1, respectively.

Why were the cuts needed? After the jump, the answer to that question, as well as a full list of bus route modifications and details about longer wait times between trains.

(more…)

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Amount of federal stimulus dollars allocated for Georgia transportation improvements: $1.1 billion

Of that $1.1 billion, amount Georgia will spend on road construction and maintenance: $932 million

Amount of federal stimulus dollars earmarked for MARTA: $63 million

Amount the state of Georgia contributes to the operating costs of MARTA: $0

Number of other states that don’t allocate funding for their major public transit systems: 0

Atlanta’s rank among the country’s most traffic-congested metropolitan areas: 3

Number of cities whose residents spend more time commuting than those in Atlanta: 0

Percent likelihood that an Atlanta driver will express road rage if cut off: 14.4

Rank of Atlanta when it comes to seven cities surveyed for rude drivers: 1

Sources: AJC.com, Atlanta Business Chronicle

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On July 1, a bunch of new laws covering everything from Confederate Heritage History Month to boll weevil eradication went into effect in Georgia.

One of those laws allows MARTA riders to consume food and drinks at transit stations — which means MARTA could sell them as well. The cash-strapped transit agency hopes the deal might add some much-needed revenue.

MARTA doesn’t know it, but it’s missing a gold mine. Here, free of charge, is one suggestion to make efficient use of space and maximize profits.

You are welcome. (H/T to Adrifting)

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In an effort to balance a budget battered by the dismal economy and restricted by the state goverment, the MARTA board decided today that straphangers will face a higher fare, see parking fees in paid lots increase $1, and lose some bus routes. The 25-cent fare increase, from $1.75 to $2, is the first since 2001 and is scheduled to take effect in October.

Thanks to some money management, the AJC’s Ariel Hart reports, trains will not have to stop at 1 a.m. as MARTA had originally proposed.

State lawmakers who failed to grasp the role MARTA plays in the economy might want to also pay attention to this next graph — or read the 3,000 comments the transit agency says it received during the public input period:

Events organizers wrote MARTA a letter last week asking it to reconsider the rail service cutback. The chief operating officer of the Chick-fil-A Bowl addressed the board before its vote Monday to reiterate the message and let them know the negative impact it would have on events.

So next session, if you lawmakers don’t pass a bill allowing MARTA more control over its finances, well then no football tickets for you!

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Even with the Atlanta Regional Commission’s $25 million lifeline, MARTA must still make cost-cutting measures — and revenue-boosting decision — to balance its budget. Proposed measures include a fare hike, parking fee increases and changes to bus and train routes and schedules.

The transit agency’s board is expected to vote on those measures today at 1:30 p.m. Prior to the vote, MARTA board members will weigh public comments and citizen concerns received last week and during the official comment period.

The AJC’s Ariel Hart reports that the service cuts will not be immediately implemented. More on what the MARTA board decides later today.

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Straphangers and transit wonks can breathe easy, as Gov. Sonny Perdue today finalized a $25 million agreement between the Atlanta Regional Commission and MARTA that will help the transit agency avoid drastic service cuts.

Perdue’s action today was largely just red tape. As governor, Perdue must approve all projects paid for by federal stimulus dollars. The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority approved the ARC and MARTA’s agreement on Wednesday. Perdue had hinted he would do the same.

In exchange for funding to keep its trains and buses running, MARTA will spend $25 million on transit-related projects. ARC stepped up to help the cash-strapped transit agency after the Georgia General Assembly failed to pass a bill that would have allowed MARTA more control of its funding.

Perdue today also approved $121 million worth of other stimulus projects, including streetscape improvements in downtown Atlanta, park improvements in DeKalb County, and oodles of roads.

Screenshots of those are after the jump.

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1. Injured cops video Shirley probably doesn’t want you to watch (What’s going on in the video made one man so mad, he said he wanted to hit Mayor Shirley Franklin with a baseball bat. Bad idea.)

2. Brenda Lee forcibly removed from Obama press area (Macon reporter — and not the ’60s songstress — makes a spectacle of herself while being dragged away from Air Force One.)

3. Perception of Crime watch (According to the mayor and police chief, Atlanta isn’t experiencing a crime wave — it’s experiencing a perception of crime wave. Have you been a victim of a perception of crime? If so, please fill out this form.)

4. Vindictive, thin-skinned mayor acting vindictive, thin-skinned (Franklin wants the feds to investigate the police union president who made the bat statement. See No. 1.)

5. State Sen. John Wiles confuses MARTA with car wash (Lawmaker so frustrated with transit agency, he says he wouldn’t let them wash his wheels.)

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Even with the Atlanta Regional Commission’s $25 million lifeline, MARTA’s still nearly $110 million in the red. Yesterday, the transit agency released its budget proposal, which includes several changes it’s mulling to cut costs. Here’s a quick rundown:

MARTA riders could potentially see:

• 25 cent fare increase

• $1 parking fee increases in seven paid lots

• Bus route modification or eliminations

• Ending MARTA train service at midnight

• Longer wait times between trains

MARTA employees could potentially see:

• Annual merit increases eliminated

• Increase in employees’ contributions to health benefit plans

• 10 furlough days

If you want the specific details transit agency’s cash situation, download MARTA’s 2010 budget proposal (PDF).

MARTA will hold public hearings to solicit citizen input about the proposed changes. Those dates and locations are pasted after the jump.

(more…)

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In a packed meeting at its downtown headquarters, the Atlanta Regional Commission threw cash-strapped MARTA a life preserver today, approving a reallocation of $25 million in federal stimulus dollars to help the transit agency avoid drastic service reductions.

Officials stressed the one-time funding shuffle wasn’t a bailout. Under the terms of the agreement, MARTA will shift money from its capital fund to pay for MARTA-related road projects that will benefit the region.

Today’s one-time move by the ARC proved necessary after the Georgia General Assembly failed to pass legislation earlier this year that would allow MARTA more control over its funding. MARTA officials said the transit agency risked cutting a full day of service should new funding not be secured.

The deal wasn’t met with enthusiasm from everyone.

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State Sen. John Wiles, R-Kennesaw

Georgia Republicans must get a better Gold Dome parking space the harder they slam MARTA.

From a Marietta Daily Journal interview with State Sen. John Wiles, R-Kennesaw:

Wiles does not support expanding Atlanta’s public transportation system, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, to Cobb County.

Slamming MARTA, Wiles said the transportation system is so inept that “I would not want MARTA to have to wash my car.”

Wiles said his distaste for MARTA stems from serving on the General Assembly’s MARTA oversight committee, where MARTA officials refused to answer such simple questions as how much it costs them per rider.

Nor is Wiles pleased that MARTA employs five drivers who earn more than $100,000. Cobb County’s transit system has the same union contract as MARTA does, but pays its drivers half as much as the Atlanta system. Wiles said it’s a problem of management.

Let it be noted that at a MARTA Oversight Committee hearing earlier this year, Wiles asked transit officials how much it costs the agency to serve each rider. Officials gave him an answer (the estimate given was nearly a dollar higher than the current fare.)

UPDATE: CL has discovered a photo of Wiles’ car.

(Courtesy Senate Press Office)

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On April 16, President Barack Obama gave rail lovers some long-awaited good news: As part of the president’s stimulus plan, he offered $8 billion to begin linking major U.S. cities with high-speed rail lines — and an additional $5 billion more to improve rail service over the next four years.

“We need high-speed rail,” Obama said. “It’s happening right now. It’s been happening for decades. The problem is, it’s been happening elsewhere, not here.”

By “elsewhere,” the president was referring to Europe and Asia. But he could just as easily have been talking about Southeastern states other than Georgia. Thanks to a lack of vision, little to no funding, and an almost cartoonish addiction to roads, the Peach State’s far behind many of its neighbors when it comes to rail.

Transit and transportation advocates say if the state’s leadership doesn’t work to catch up, Georgia could miss out on a nationwide rail renaissance.

Click here to continue reading this story.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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David Schaengold of the Witherspoon Institute published a thought-provoking essay this month titled “Why Conservatives Should Care About Transit.”

Schaengold says ‘mass transit vs. more roads’ became a ‘Democrats vs Republicans’ battle during the 1970s:

This association can be traced to the ’70s, when cities became associated with social dysfunction and suburbs remained bastions of ‘normalcy.’

Schaengold argues that the Republican Party’s love of asphalt undermines core conservative values:

Pro-highway, anti-transit, anti-pedestrian policies work against the core beliefs of American conservatives in another and even more important way: they create social environments that are hostile to real community . . . [d]ense, walkable settlements are not just a pleasant lifestyle choice. They are a precondition of the strong, inter-connected communities that social conservatives desire.

Are you listening, Jerry Keen?

(I would tip my hat to Andrew Sullivan for the link, but someone on MARTA stole it. I’m pressing charges.)

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State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, a 2010 Republican candidate for governor, sat down with Fox5’s Paul Yates in one of the station’s series of interviews with gubernatorial hopefuls. The commenters at Peach Pundit are debating Oxendine’s position that the government is responsible for providing water to its citizenry.

But it was “The Ox’s” comment that cash-strapped MARTA needs to be “reworked” — and that the state should examine the pros and cons of privatizing the system — that caught my eye.

(Hat tip to Jim Galloway and Jason Shepard at Peach Pundit)

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1. AJC buyout list official — 74 to leave (In addition to the dozens of veteran reporters who jumped ship, news of Pulitzer-winner Cynthia Tucker’s move to D.C. and food writer John Kessler’s brief departure from food-writing made it a very productive week for us pageview-hoarding wretches at Fresh Loaf.)

2. Atlanta Tea Party with Sean Hannity to feature ’shit sandwiches’ (It’s estimated that 10,000 people attended. Imagine the response had Hannity been offering roast beef!)

3. Bottoms up at Frolicon (That’s a lot of booty.)

4. Anti-tax protestors urged to, um, ride MARTA (Irony sandwich, anyone?)

5. CNN’s Anderson Cooper on why Republicans can’t find their voice (A  recap of last week wouldn’t have been complete without at least one teabagging reference. Phew.)

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Wave that flag: The Tea Party held on Feb. 27 brought hundreds to the state Capitol despite pouring rain.

If you’re heading downtown for tonight’s Tea Party festivities, the event’s organizers have a surprising suggestion for you:

Our first recommendation is that you park at one of the outer lying MARTA (itsmarta.com) train stations and ride the train to the 5 Points Station in Atlanta.

Because nothing says “I hate big government and taxes” louder than a taxpayer-funded government train ride.

Idiots.

More photos from February’s Tea Party here.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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It’s tax day and, since I’m contrarian, I’m going to spend the day praising government.

I’ll start with public transit.

I’ve had it for a while, but only recently have I started using my iPhone’s built-in, Google-powered public transit map. It’s fantastic.

Type-in starting and ending addresses and the iPhone gives you a MARTA rail and bus route to your destination, as well as the duration of the trip.

If you’re standing at a bus stop, the map will tell you when the next bus is scheduled to pass-by. If you’re not sure when you’re going to be able to start your trip, a very handy button allows you to scroll through every potential departure times.

MARTA’s web site does the same thing, but when I’m stuck at an auto repair shop in Roswell (like I was on Monday), or if I’m lying in a gutter somewhere and get tired of staring at the stars, I won’t necessarily have an Internet-connected laptop on which I can access MARTA’s web site for route information.

If all this sounds like praise for Apple and Google rather than MARTA, consider this: D.C.’s otherwise awesome public transit system refused for months to let Google have its route maps in a digestible form. As a result, iPhone and Google Maps users in DC were denied this function.

Praise be to MARTA for helping make their system easier to use.

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Note to lawmakers: Perhaps using one of the metro region’s most important assets as a bargaining chip isn’t that great of an idea? Maybe?

From Friday’s Atlanta Business Chronicle:

If Atlanta’s rapid transit system is forced to eliminate a day of service, business leaders say, it will be a severe economic blow to a city already stung by a deepening recession.

…

“It would be devastating for the Atlanta economy and therefore the state of Georgia’s economy if MARTA has to restrict services on any day,” said A.J. Robinson, president of Central Atlanta Progress, the alliance of downtown businesses. He called the state’s failure to resolve the problem a “travesty.”

…

“If MARTA has to furlough its trains and buses for one day a week, the ripple effect would be tremendous,” Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam Williams said. “I’ve talked to several big employers who say their businesses would be drastically affected. This would certainly send a message nationwide that Georgia has another problem and can’t solve it.”

The paper also quotes officials from AT&T, UPS and BellSouth — all of whom say MARTA service cuts could impact their workers. There’s also a good list of statistics outlining the role MARTA plays in shuttling residents and visitors around the region.

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Yeah, it might not be raining this very moment, but across Atlanta, people are dealing with the aftershocks of recent storm activity. And it sucks.

Fighting the wind and rain this morning in downtown Atlanta.

Grady High School is among the more than 230,000 Georgia Power customers in metro Atlanta without power. Downtown Decatur’s electricity just returned. MARTA was out of service for several hours. And one person was killed when a tree fell. Here at CL the lights flickered on and off for most of the morning, causing great panic and confusion amongst the hardworking proletariat as we slave away at our information terminals.

And the AJC says more rain could be on the way:

Up to 2 inches of rain could fall across the area through the day Monday, with hail possible, forecasters said.

“There will likely be two rounds of thunderstorms,” the Weather Service said in a statement. “One this morning as a squall line moves through central Georgia and another this afternoon and tonight as the cold front approaches.”

The chance of rain continues into Tuesday, with dry weather forecast for the back half of the week.

Be careful on the roads and watch out if you’re working under or around trees.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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