The ATL: new regional transit system (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: assessments, photos, dates)

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by demonta4

Can we just leave Johns Creek out? Allow the cities that want to tax themselves to do so?

Yes, there are now options to do that. Thanks to this bill.

If for example the cities of Sandy Springs and Roswell want to have a new Transit-SPLOST for 30 years only in their cities, to fund 2 new MARTA stations or whatever, they can now do that. They could do .5 penny for MARTA, or whatever. The referendum and the sales tax collection would be local only.

From my limited understanding of it, the downside is, that money would count towards their sales tax cap, that by law they still need to stay under. (And also there would be less money generated obviously by a smaller area.) You'd have to read this monster of a bill:

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20172018/178943.pdf

And also, they'd have to wait until 2019 when the ATL is in effect.

The bill allows a special provision (starting at line 1911) for Fulton outside the city of Atlanta, to increase their MARTA sales tax by .2, as early as 2018. (Before the ATL commission). If it's after January 1, they can still do it but their project list would be subject to approval by the new commission.

And there's a stipulation that this special Fulton MARTA provision can not go towards heavy rail.

But, there's no ban on new MARTA heavy rail in Fulton. It would just have to come thru other means, via the other tools in the toolbox of the bill. (Cities, CID's, countywide SPLOST, etc)

Like I believe that Fulton County (including the City of Atlanta, I believe- or at least the part of it in Fulton), always has the option via this ATL bill, to have a countywide half penny for transit (provided by contract with MARTA), on top of their MARTA penny (and on top of Atlanta's 1.5 MARTA penny).

It's all pretty confusing, to say the least. But yes, to some extent, parts of Fulton can get expansions, while excluding Johns Creek from getting/paying for anything.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by autolycus25

I'll go on and throw this in here as the consolidated mass transit expansion thread:


Fulton County transit vote may not be possible in November

Most of the vocal opposition is from the most expected source of all: Mayor Bodker of Johns Creek. He says he needs data to support the notion that the proposed routes will relieve traffic congestion. MARTA is working to provide that data to him. The timeline is very tight because the meetings to get the referendum on the ballot would have to start at the beginning of May at the latest.

Never thought I'd say this about Johns Creek and their asinine resistance to transit expansion, but...good. Once they took MARTA rail expansion out of the picture and turned it into BRT expansion, that destroyed whatever good the project might have done. BRT is not the answer up 400!

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

Never thought I'd say this about Johns Creek and their asinine resistance to transit expansion, but...good. Once they took MARTA rail expansion out of the picture and turned it into BRT expansion, that destroyed whatever good the project might have done. BRT is not the answer up 400!

I don't think it's asinine for them to ask for better MARTA service for the penny that they are currently paying.

I don't think it's unreasonable for them to resent being asked to pay more in order to get some transit, when they don't feel like they're getting any value for what they currently pay and have been paying.

I don't think it's unfair that Johns Creek has that perspective, from their POV. That's a conservative area.

[cqholt]

Short video on Nashville's only rail-based transit line The Music City Star. Cheapest commuter rail project in the US, 32 miles for $41M
https://www.facebook.com/fivefoldscr...g4OTk0ODUyODU/

[bu2]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Short video on Nashville's only rail-based transit line The Music City Star. Cheapest commuter rail project in the US, 32 miles for $41M
https://www.facebook.com/fivefoldscr...g4OTk0ODUyODU/

"There is no free lunch."
"You get what you pay for."

Nashville dead last in ridership for commuter rail systems. 280,000 per year, 1200 per day. Near the bottom in ridership per mile (lowest is a route from Boston to Maine).

[primaltech]

That video highlights why the W&A line thru Cobb is our best and only chance for commuter rail. Only one that's state-owned.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by bu2

"There is no free lunch."
"You get what you pay for."

Nashville dead last in ridership for commuter rail systems. 280,000 per year, 1200 per day. Near the bottom in ridership per mile (lowest is a route from Boston to Maine).

Uh...there's no commuter rail from Boston to Maine. MBTA stops in New Hampshire.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by primaltech

That video highlights why the W&A line thru Cobb is our best and only chance for commuter rail. Only one that's state-owned.

Yes but it looks like they may have already given up that option.

Legislation has passed to extend a 50 year lease to CSX for the W&A line, no stipulations for passenger rail. Just waiting on the Gov's signature and it's bundled with all kinds of other assets for sale. I see no chance of the Gov vetoing this with so much money on the line.

Fools...

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by primaltech

That video highlights why the W&A line thru Cobb is our best and only chance for commuter rail. Only one that's state-owned.

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Yes but it looks like they may have already given up that option.

Legislation has passed to extend a 50 year lease to CSX for the W&A line, no stipulations for passenger rail. Just waiting on the Gov's signature and it's bundled with all kinds of other assets for sale. I see no chance of the Gov vetoing this with so much money on the line.

Fools...

Look at who's campaigns CSX makes donations to. That's where you'll find your answer.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Uh...there's no commuter rail from Boston to Maine. MBTA stops in New Hampshire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...s_by_ridership
According to wiki there is. But its not MBTA, its "Downeaster." The MBTA system is one of the more successful lines.