Cobb leaders are calling transit connectivity imperative (Atlanta, Marietta: quality of life, centers)

[primaltech]

It's so easy for those in Atlanta proper (and ITP DeKalb and etc), to say to those of us who are pro-MARTA in Cobb and Gwinnett, "Why should we have to change at all? Make your leaders join MARTA just as it is!" Etc etc.

But that's a pipe dream mindset, and it's ignoring the full picture of the situation and the needs of the metro. In counties outside of Fulton/DeKalb/Clayton, the political power to do what you are asking simply does not exist. So we're supposed to not have good transit because of that fact?

A compromise scenario is needed, for the overall good of the region and metro, and it will end up doing more good for Atlanta proper in the long run, than any negative effects by the change.

Maybe I'm not communicating the right points, but I'm trying to. I'm ready for us to move past this whole standoff that is the MARTA/no-MARTA situation, and for one side's expectation to be that the other side fully caves, is ridiculous. (Especially when it's the other side with all the political power and the dominant party in the state.) A compromise in the middle needs to occur. That is, MARTA becomes GRTA, but it gets more funding, and ITP transit thereby is able to improve and expand, along with OTP transit.

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by Gulch

You're assuming that a costly re-brand would be a guaranteed success. Most people who are virulently anti-transit in this region aren't going to suddenly embrace rail/bus service just because the name would be changed.

I don't give a crap what those right-wing mouth-breathers embrace or don't embrace, as long as county leadership and the people that matter/ have power embrace it.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by primaltech

It's so easy for those in Atlanta proper (and ITP DeKalb and etc), to say to those of us who are pro-MARTA in Cobb and Gwinnett, "Why should we have to change at all? Make your leaders join MARTA just as it is!" Etc etc.

But that's a pipe dream mindset, and it's ignoring the full picture of the situation and the needs of the metro. In counties outside of Fulton/DeKalb/Clayton, the political power to do what you are asking simply does not exist. So we're supposed to not have good transit because of that fact?

A compromise scenario is needed, for the overall good of the region and metro, and it will end up doing more good for Atlanta proper in the long run, than any negative effects by the change.

Maybe I'm not communicating the right points, but I'm trying to. I'm ready for us to move past this whole standoff that is the MARTA/no-MARTA situation, and for one side's expectation to be that the other side fully caves, is ridiculous. (Especially when it's the other side with all the political power and the dominant party in the state.) A compromise in the middle needs to occur. That is, MARTA becomes GRTA, but it gets more funding, and ITP transit thereby is able to improve and expand, along with OTP transit.

We need a full, metro-wide transit system, but not at the cost of giving up locally-appointed leadership for northside-business-friendly, suburban/rural, governor-appointed leadership of our transit agency.

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by bu2

Really the first question is which counties are involved. Do you just have the 5 core or do you try to expand further to about 11 counties (Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, Rockdale, Henry, Fayette, Douglas and Cherokee which are in the Atlanta Regional Planning Commission + Forsyth) or even add the full 29 in the MSA?
https://dch.georgia.gov/sites/dch.ge...Area%20Map.pdf

Well part of the beauty of MARTA being absorbed into GRTA, is that GRTA transit already serves 13 counties:

About Us | GRTA

GRTA’s jurisdiction encompasses 13 counties: Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale.

I think that would be plenty enough. With maybe a few outer counties like Bartow or Hall able to join in the future if they want to (and get commuter/regional rail.)

One Metro Atlanta transit system/brand/agency, that serves this whole area, of 13 counties or so. And with state funding and direct coordination with GDOT, etc.

Now, that doesn't mean funding levels (or means) need to necessarily be the same for each of those counties. Maybe have different tiers, to pay for tiers of GRTA service in the county. My suggestion would be:

Tier 1: Atlanta (1.5% sales tax)

Tier 2: Fulton, DeKalb (1.25% sales tax)

Tier 3: Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett (1% sales tax)

Tier 4: The other 8 counties listed there- (.5% sales tax, for commuter rail/express bus only, w/ no local bus)

Or something like that. Maybe property tax would be involved. But the idea is that the state gasoline tax or some other source from the general state tax fund could pitch in, or match locally raised funds.

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by cqholt

We need a full, metro-wide transit system, but not at the cost of giving up locally-appointed leadership for northside-business-friendly, suburban/rural, governor-appointed leadership of our transit agency.

There would still be locally-appointed leadership, though. There would be some degree of power share.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by primaltech

There would still be locally-appointed leadership, though. There would be some degree of power share.

Can you guarantee that? The GRTA Board of Directors is comprised of 15 members from among the ranks of private and public sector leaders throughout metro Atlanta, all of whom are chosen by the Governor of Georgia. Not chosen by those counties.

If MARTA is folded into GRTA, how are we to be certain that the local leadership is preserved. Heck, how are we to be certain that, even if that leadership was preserved, it would be properly balanced between urban, suburban, exurban, and rural interests.

[primaltech]

I can't guarantee a thing, no.

Actually, I can guarantee you one thing. MARTA as we know it now, will never be in Cobb and Gwinnett. That is a fantasy world that we all need to just forget. IF those counties ever join MARTA, it would be a MARTA with a modified board structure.

Probably that board would be the existing board (comprised of representatives from each member county and the city of Atlanta), plus a number of state-appointed members, who would no doubt be Northside suburban GOPer type. ("Bubbas")

And probably, it would be a renamed agency, or a consolidation of MARTA into GRTA or something of that sort.

Something, somewhere has to give. And I really don't want that something to be, Cobb and Gwinnett never join MARTA.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by primaltech

I can't guarantee a thing, no.

Actually, I can guarantee you one thing. MARTA as we know it now, will never be in Cobb and Gwinnett. That is a fantasy world that we all need to just forget. IF those counties ever join MARTA, it would be a MARTA with a modified board structure.

Probably that board would be the existing board (comprised of representatives from each member county and the city of Atlanta), plus a number of state-appointed members, who would no doubt be Northside suburban GOPer type. ("Bubbas")

That set up already exists with the heads of GDOT (McMurry) and GRTA (Tomlinson) already serving on the board (albeit they are ex-officio members). It would be easy to simply grant those two full voting rights.

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by Gulch

That set up already exists with the heads of GDOT (McMurry) and GRTA (Tomlinson) already serving on the board (albeit they are ex-officio members). It would be easy to simply grant those two full voting rights.

And something like that would be a very reasonable trade, in exchange for state funding for MARTA, and Cobb and Gwinnett feeling more comfortable with joining.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by primaltech

And something like that would be a very reasonable trade, in exchange for state funding for MARTA, and Cobb and Gwinnett feeling more comfortable with joining.

What's wrong with Cobb and Gwinnett appointing their own reps?
Oh look, there is already 1 governor appointed, voting board member.
MARTA