Fresh Loaf

The state Senate yesterday passed two bills that could give MARTA more choices about its funding — as well as an opportunity to earn some extra cash.

The first, Senate Bill 120, would allow the transit agency to decide how it uses the one-cent sales tax it collects in Atlanta and Fulton and DeKalb Counties. (Currently, that sales tax — which accounts for more than half MARTA’s funding — must be split evenly on capital projects and operating costs.)

Senate Bill 89 would allow the food and drinks to be consumed at transit stations. If passed, the measure would allow MARTA to contract with vendors who could sell items at stations. Riders would still be prohibited from eating or drinking on MARTA buses and trains. You can still bring a gun on the train, though.

(more…)

Bookmark It

On Feb. 2, nearly 30 officials from various local, state and federal transit agencies, most of whom were locked in a bitter dispute over Beltline tracks near Piedmont Park, sat down with Congressman John Lewis’ staff in his Atlanta office. Their purpose: Let’s figure out what we’re going to do with “The Decatur Belt,” a segment of city-owned property near Piedmont Park that includes tracks vital to the Beltline project.

Officials have declined to comment on what was discussed at the meeting and how things have progressed. In a joint press release issued the day of the sitdown, agency officials said they would work toward a common solution and report progress in 30 days.

According to MARTA’s notes of the meeting, obtained by CL in an Open Records Request, some of the transportation agencies sound — contrary to many of their comments after news of the dispute broke — seemingly unsure of their options. And they really didn’t want to involve the media. What’s more, the notes suggest a disappointing  — but not entirely surprising — reality: Local and state transportation agencies, at least prior to the Feb. 2 meeting, were not communicating with each other in a productive manner.

But with federal funding and millions of dollars in taxpayer and private investment on the line, the officials said they needed to figure this one out.

Download the meeting notes here. To see who attended the sitdown, download the meeting’s sign-in sheet here. UPDATE: GDOT has responded with its notes from the meeting. They’re much more detailed than MARTA’s. In them, GDOT says it wants to explore what other parts of the city would be suitable for a train terminal into which commuter rail or inter-city rail could operate. That transcript is pasted after the summary.

If you’re adverse to downloading the files, I’ve written a rather lengthy rundown of the meeting after the jump.

(more…)

Bookmark It

A group of Inman Park residents have formed Keep High Speed Rail Out of Inman Park in an effort to fight the Georgia Department of Transportation and Amtrak’s plans to run commuter rail near the historic neighborhood. The ambiguously named group has a petition here and a YouTube video.

Bookmark It

Citizens for Progressive Transit, a grassroots advocacy group, is holding its annual lobbying day at the state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Members and non-members who want to speak with Georgia lawmakers about the need for more transit, cleaner air and less auto-dependent options are urged to meet with the group at the Central Presbyterian Church across the street from the Capitol on Tuesday morning. There, you’ll receive a briefing and then make your way to the Gold Dome to advocate the cause.

Full details are after the jump.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Now that the Georgia Department of Transportation, Amtrak and Beltline officials have all taken a vow of silence and decided to keep quiet about the ongoing negotiations surrounding a rail segment in Northeast Atlanta, we have ample time to pore over the plans ourselves.

To bring everyone back up to speed: GDOT and Amtrak say they have plans for a future commuter rail line that would run on unused tracks along the eastern edge of Piedmont Park. Officials for the Beltline, the 22-mile of parks, trails and transit proposed to circle the urban core, recently purchased the tracks and surrounding property for $66 million, not including interest payments and payouts to private partners in the deal. Beltline officials oppose GDOT and Amtrak’s plans and say they would not only alter the vision of the Beltline in the area, but potentially jeopardize the entire $2.8 billion project. Beltline planners are scheduled to unveil their plans for the area in dispute — plans that could change if GDOT and Amtrak don’t budge on their position — on Thursday. Here are details of that night’s event.

After the jump, I’ve posted some handy maps that were included in a memo written by GDOT Commissioner Gena Evans and sent to boardmembers after the shit hit the fan. Also included is a handy map that shows who owns rail segments in Atlanta. If there are errors with any of these, send me a line or leave notes in the comments.

(more…)

Bookmark It

First there was “Soulja Girl.” Now, meet “mugging gone wrong.”

A video in which a young man in a MARTA station appears to turn the tables on a would-be mugger is the latest slice of drama to hit YouTube. Early in the morning on May 3, 2008, a station security camera captured the following footage (I’ve loaded the victim’s video of the event, which includes his comments):

After the jump, some details about the video.

(more…)

Bookmark It

The U.S. Surface Transporation Board, the federal agency that regulates railroad issues, has granted Amtrak, Georgia Department of Transportation and Beltline officials’ request to give them time to resolve the bitter dispute over a 4.8-mile segment of railroad in Northeast Atlanta.

Acting Secretary Anna Quinlen’s filing today says the agencies must report the progress of their talks no later than March 6.

To download the decision, click here (PDF). It’s also pasted after the jump.

(more…)

Bookmark It

You know that whole Beltline dispute? The one in which the Georgia Department of Transportation and Amtrak basically told Beltline officials that they’d have to make room in Northeast Atlanta for a commuter rail line? Officials from the agencies and departments involved met this morning and had what I’m sure was a very interesting sitdown. They’ve requested the federal government give them 30 days so they can try and resolve the dispute as a group.

So sayeth a joint statement from the agencies:

Atlanta – A meeting of officials from key organizations including the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Beltline, Inc., Amtrak, the Atlanta Regional Commission, MARTA and the Transit Implementation Board along with staff from Congressman John Lewis’ office was held today to discuss the critical issue regarding plans for the Northeast Beltline Corridor (“Decatur Street Belt”) and future options for multi-modal passenger terminals (MMPT).

The overarching goal of the meeting was to share information, communicate directly, discuss alternatives and seek out viable solutions for an amicable outcome that is in the best interest of our customers. To that end, the Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta Beltline Inc./ Atlanta Development Authority, Amtrak and Norfolk Southern have agreed to formally request that the Surface Transportation Board issue a 30 day stay of their proceedings in this matter in order to work towards a common solution that accommodates the Beltline vision, intercity and high speed rail in the region.

During this time, a technical team will work to investigate the potential alternatives. An Executive Team will also work to develop a final agreement between all of the parties.

All of the organizations involved acknowledged the importance of the Beltline project to the City of Atlanta and the region. Each recognized the common goal to provide much needed regional transportation options for the residents of and visitors to the City of Atlanta which have a profound effect on the economic future for the entire state of Georgia.

After the jump, exclusive video of Beltline officials confronting the GDOT Beast about its plans.

(more…)

Bookmark It

…but it would be problematic for them to do so on the Beltline property in Northeast Atlanta that’s become a bone of contention for the city, the Georgia Department of Transportation and AMTRAK.

In 2005, Beltline visionary Ryan Gravel and Friends of the Beltline Inc. issued a study that examined how the 22-mile loop of parks, trails and transit may be affected by the various rail lines circling Atlanta. (Download the study PDF here.)

In regards to the “Decatur Belt,” the 3.5-mile segment that runs from DeKalb Avenue to Ansley Mall, the study says:

use of this line for the commuter rail network is problematic for the following reasons:

• The original alignment of the Decatur Street Belt with the main line into downtown Atlanta was broken by the reconfiguration of Hulsey Yard and the construction of the elevated East MARTA line and King Memorial Station.
• Use of the Decatur Street Belt puts Amtrak trains through residential areas and Piedmont Park, crossing surface streets at Monroe Drive, Irwin Street and DeKalb Avenue.
• The Decatur Street Belt is too narrow south of Freedom Parkway for the Belt Line and Amtrak to share right-of-way with separate tracks.
• Shared use of the tracks themselves in this corridor would be difficult due to topographic and physical constraints.
• Any shared arrangement would make the Belt Line much less desirable by eliminating greenspace and permeability and by increasing safety concerns, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

The group proposed several recommendations, including tinkering with the Brookwood station where AMTRAK currently stops. One of the biggest challenges the Beltline will face is actually connecting the rail segments that will create its spine and shape.

If you’re a transit lover and want to know more about the current dispute, as well as the project’s other connectivity challenges, this study is well worth a read.

Bookmark It

The Georgia Association of Rail Passengers has called for Gov. Sonny Perdue to restore funding for the Atlanta-Griffin commuter rail line that’s been earmarked for federal dollars and which the governor said he’d support during last year’s gas shortage. U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., has already scolded Perdue for not funding the line.

Passenger rail advocates are calling on the Georgia General Assembly to approve $15 million in funding for Atlanta-Griffin commuter rail line, despite Governor Sonny Perdue’s failure to include the money in his budget.

“It’s extremely unfortunate that the Governor went back on his promise to fund the Atlanta-Griffin line,” said Steve Vogel, president of the Georgia Association of Railroad Passengers (GARP).  “It also was a big mistake.”

The federal government has $87 million set aside for the rail project, but it’s been stalled for years by state government inaction.  The Georgia Department of Transportation has asked for $15 million to get the project moving again.

Rest of the release is after the jump.
(more…)

Bookmark It

Jeez, guys, didn’t you read that he was taking a train to Washington, D.C.?

The Georgia Public Interest Research Group has just released its analysis of the state Department of Transportation’s wishlist for President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed stimulus funds. And the group says the state agency’s list favors asphalt over rails.

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s wish list requests:

• Georgia would spend only 34.3 percent of funds on public transit/intercity rail projects.

• The state DOT has allocated 69 percent of the two billion dollar highway project funds to the maintenance needs of the state’s infrastructure. This is a higher portion than most other states but would still leave many bridges and roads in a state of disrepair while building new highways.

• GDOT also lists three bike/pedestrian projects in Fulton County: West End Rail Multi-use Trail ($2.2 million), Fourteenth Street ($7.6 million), and Downtown Atlanta Pedestrian ($6.7 million).

There are some worrisome aspects to these high-dollar and ambitious wishlists, too.

(more…)

Bookmark It

MARTA officials today said in a press release that a new economic forecast predicts the transit agency’s budget woes will worsen.

The latest economic forecast issued in December 2008 for MARTA by the Georgia State Economic Forecasting Center predicts a further worsening of its current fiscal crisis by an additional $10 million. The forecast also predicts MARTA will experience a cumulative loss of more than $1.2 billion in sales tax revenue over the next ten years – that is up an additional $588 million from its fall 2008 report.

Last month, MARTA — which, it will be noted once again, is the metro region’s largest transit agency and the only one in the nation that doesn’t receive operating funds from the state  — announced it faced a $60 million operating budget shortfall for the fiscal year. MARTA officials asked lawmakers two weeks ago to allow greater flexibility for the one-cent sales tax revenue that funds more than half the agency’s operations.

Agency officials will hold a series of meetings next week to inform the public about potential changes. (The list of locations follows after the jump.)

And on that cheerful note, I’m out of here. Have a great weekend!

(more…)

Bookmark It

A coalition of officials from the state and metro region’s transportation planning agencies have vouched to now take the next step in addressing the issue — moving past pretty blueprints and visions and focusing on the more complex process of actually finding ways to build the mobility solutions.

The Transit Planning Board yesterday, in its final meeting under that banner, unanimously approved a “new year’s resolution” to create the Transit Implementation Board, or TIB. That agency, which will supplant the board, will examine how the region can implement Concept 3 (PDF) — a gridlock-relieving vision of light-rail, heavy-rail and bus routes that would spider throughout metro Atlanta.

The Atlanta Regional Commission, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and MARTA — members of the board — have all passed resolutions in support of Concept 3.

From a press release from the group:

“Two years ago, our region needed to focus on developing a vision for transit that we could all support,” stated TPB and Clayton County Chairman Eldrin Bell. “Today, we’re saying our focus needs to be on implementation. This year has filled me with optimism regarding what our region can accomplish when we work together Now, however, the hard part begins.”

The TIB’s first meeting is scheduled for Jan. 29.

Bookmark It

No one loves “free” money more than state and local governments. And Georgia’s are no exception.

Anticipation surrounding  President-elect Barack Obama’s $500-billion proposal to re-invest in the nation’s infrastructure continues to build, and cities, counties and states are already starting to drool.

In Georgia, the state DOT has already outlined $3.4 billion worth of road, bridge and rail projects — including more than $1 billion for cash-strapped MARTA.

After the jump, read about some of the projects Peach State lawmakers hope the incoming president will deem worthy of the taxpayer coin. We’ll have more on Atlanta’s potential projects later, as well as some interesting thoughts from one Democratic insider who says we — or more like some of our elected officials — may have already shot ourselves in the foot when it comes to trying to kiss Obama’s ring. (If you’d like to know what’s on the wish lists of 427 U.S. mayors, including six in Georgia, visit this PDF.)

(more…)

Bookmark It

The recession is taking its toll on MARTA.

MARTA General Manager and CEO Bev Scott says “devastating” drops in revenue collected from local sales taxes — which comprise 52 percent of its operating budget — has led to a shortfall of at least $60 million.

It’s worth mentioning that nearly every state contributes to its largest metropolitan area’s transit system’s operating costs — but Georgia does not.

Scott will hold a press conference to discuss the problem on Monday at MARTA’s Piedmont Road headquarters. It will begin immediately after the regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting at 1:30 p.m.

Bookmark It

A transit plan designed to make mobility in metro Atlanta more than just cars, cars and cars inched forward today.

The Atlanta Regional Commission this afternoon approved Concept 3, a regional transit plan that advocates are calling “the most far-reaching transit expansion plan in decades.” Designed by the Transit Planning Board, Concept 3 includes heavy rail, express buses, light rail and streetcars. Included in the design are the Beltline and portions of the Brain Train.

“If we actually build the projects in Concept 3, it will transform metro Atlanta in the 21st century just as assuredly as the railroads did in the 19th Century and the Airport and highways did in the 20th Century,” Lee Biola, president of Citizens for Progressive Transit, said in a press release.

To be clear, the commission’s seal of approval doesn’t mean we’ll be riding light-rail to Roswell in a year, it just makes it eligible to be added to a future regional transportation plan, or RTP — a necessary step if the plan hopes to compete for sorely-needed federal funding. A commission spokeswoman says transportation projects in the RTP fall under one of two designations  — one for plans whose funding has been identified, and another for those the commission “aspires” to see come to fruition. Concept 3 would be considered the latter, she says.

A little wonkish, yes, but stick with me here. As I reported last week, there’s a movement underway — yet again — to find more funding for transportation projects. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has pledged — scout’s honor — to re-introduce a regional sales tax to pay for transportation fixes. (It failed by three votes in the lieutenant governor’s chamber last session.) Dick Anderson, executive director of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, says he’s been examining a number of new funding mechanisms, including the oh-so controversial public-private partnership.

So while today’s news might not be like breaking ground to lay rails, it’s a start.

Bookmark It

Rumors are like carnivorous pigeons — it’s best to shoot ‘em down before they cause trouble. (ba dum bum)

There’s been talk in some circles that Bev Scott, CEO and General Manager of MARTA, might leave the transit agency to take a position with Pres.-elect Barack Obama’s administration. Scott, a 30-year transit veteran, joined MARTA late last year and was a sought-after talent — so much so that the agency’s board paid $455,609 to former GM Richard McCrillis to step down early. In October, she was elected chair of the American Public Transportation Association.

Last night at 8:30 p.m., Scott — who was still at work — returned a call I placed to ask her about the rumors. She left this voicemail:

Hi, Thomas, Bev Scott of MARTA, here. I’m not interviewing for a position in the Obama administration. I don’t want to suggest — I have had several people that have contacted me, I’m not trying to suggest it was Pres.-elect Obama (laughs) — but they’ve talked to me [to see] if I had an interest in being considered for something.

You got me here in Atlanta (laughs). I said this was my last system and I’m gonna give it everything I can. I love the region and the people. We got a lot of challenges in front of us. I’m not getting it started and not seeing it through. Thank you very much for the call. Not doing any interviewing for anything. OK, take care, sir. Bye bye.

Bookmark It

Literally. The Transit Planning Board — the agency that brought you the regional-transit vision called Concept3 — kindly asks for your help to determine how a more mobile metro Atlanta would look.

Visit this survey the agency created that asks what works and what doesn’t. Did a set of railroad tracks look better with or without a commuter rail station? Should downtown Atlanta be served by a bus or light-rail? Should buses run on I-75 or should commuter rail zip along the shoulder?

The board did a commendable job by actually showing how many of the possible solutions to metro Atlanta’s traffic woes would actually appear. If you’re a fan of what-could-be, it’s worth your time to check it out.

(Screenshot from TPB survey)

Bookmark It

It’s still two weeks away, but now’s a great time to let you know about Citizens for Progressive Transit’s “Toast to Concept3″ at Shout on Dec. 2. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.

The local grassroots organization that has done a lot of commendable — and breathtaking — work when it comes to encouraging public transit in metro Atlanta will host light-rail lovers and present speakers who’ll give you an update and summary of Concept3 (warning: PDF), a mobility-boosting vision conceived by the Transit Planning Board and slated for the region.

Anyone and everyone is welcome. And CfPT even provides you with directions on MARTA and a link to its A-TRAIN trip planner. If you guzzle too much, you can just ride the train on home. Genius, people!

Bookmark It

MARTA is changing bus and train schedules during Thanksgiving weekend. It’s a lengthy list but worth a read if you rely on the city’s transit agency — or have plans to check out the Atlanta Marathon or Macy’s Christmas Tree Lighting.

The changes are listed after the jump.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Mother Jones has posted an interesting chat with David Goldberg, communications director of Smart Growth America. Goldberg, a Decatur resident and former AJC editorial board member, talks with assistant editor Jen Phillips about the challenges — and opportunities — communities face as they try to become more walkable and less car-centric. He also gives a long summary on what Atlanta’s doing right after decades of doing wrong.

From the interview:

There’s some really disturbing trends here: We’re having a difficult time revitalizing places that are being abandoned, while we go out to these greenfields and build these new places, wasting a lot of money on extending infrastructure all over the place, and we’re consigning people to life in a car and now high gas prices.

So what do we do about that?

It’s worth the time to give the discussion a look if you want to know the answer. Or if you wanted a comprehensive and easy-to-read background on how smart growth concepts work.

Bookmark It

MARTA CEO and General Manager Beverly Scott, who was recently appointed chair of the American Public Transportation Association, testified before a U.S. House committee today and urged Congress to pass legislation that would inject sorely-needed funds into transit projects across the country.

APTA, Scott says, recently identified 559 “ready-to-go” projects in the United States worth $8 billion that would help create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She also asked the government step in and examine financial agreements — which  I’ll warn you are rather complex but good to wrap your head around — transit agencies made with companies such as AIG that are in danger of unraveling because of Wall Street’s meltdown.

To read her full testimony, click here. Read about how Georgia specifically could benefit from increased transit investment after the jump.

(more…)

Bookmark It

So you’d like there to be more public transit in Atlanta, want to see more smart-growth development, but you still don’t know exactly what the Beltline is all about. The Beltline Partnership, the 22-mile project’s fundraising arm, operates twice-a-week tours of the proposed loop of transit, trails, parks and development, so that’s one way.

Another way is to help clean the project up. Last year, volunteers cleaned up the Beltline’s southwest portion. On Nov. 8, Keep Atlanta Beautiful and other partners plan to do the same in the northeast quadrant.

Here are the details:

Last week, TruGreen LandCare, lawn and landscape professionals, donated their time and expertise to prepare the area for volunteers by accomplishing some of the heavy lifting.

On Saturday November 8, Atlanta BeltLine Inc., Ponce Park, the Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy, City of Atlanta, Park Pride, Trees Atlanta, Atlanta Community ToolBank and PATH are orchestrating the northeast corridor BeltLine clean-up. This is necessary to achieve the clean-up’s goal of taking a first step in creating a useable connection between Piedmont Park and Freedom Park. See images below.

Volunteers will pick up litter and remove kudzu from trees along the 1.5 mile stretch. You can register as a volunteer for the clean-up at www.keepatlantabeautiful.org.

(Photo courtesy of TruGreen LandCare)

Bookmark It

An Atlanta-based transit group has posted results of a survey in which legislative candidates were asked whether they support funding for a bunch of different transit stuff.

Most of the candidates gave the same answer to most of the questions. Some of them offered insightful explanations of their answers, including: “We MUST have this rail system in place SOON.” Of course, considering that the group behind the survey is called Citizens for Progressive Transit, the candidates might have been more liberal with their use of ALL CAPS. The more enthusiasm for progressive transit, the better.

Bookmark It

MARTA CEO and General Manager Bev Scott has been elected chair of the American Public Transportation Assocation. According to MARTA, she’ll focus on the re-authorization of federal funding for public transportation agencies.

From the transit agency:

Atlanta, GA (October 2008) – MARTA CEO and General Manager, Dr. Beverly A. Scott, was elected chair of the board of directors for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) on Sunday, October 5, 2008, during the organization’s annual meeting in San Diego, California.

As chair of the APTA Board of Directors, Dr. Scott will oversee the operations of the national organization, which works to improve public transportation throughout the United States and Canada. APTA has more than 1,500 organizational members. Dr. Scott takes the helm of the organization during a particularly exciting yet challenging time for public transportation. Recent statistics provided by APTA show that in FY 2008 the industry experienced more than 10.3 billion trips, which is its largest number of trips in a fifty year period. But, as ridership increased over the past year, the industry was strained by poor economic conditions, budget cuts and rising fuel costs.

Rest of the release follows after the jump.

(more…)

Bookmark It