Metro atlanta transit incomplete without ctran/transit in clayton county

[geoking66]

Originally Posted by SAAN

If the MTA in NYC cant even make a profit with state funding and is over crowded and goes almost everywhere you need it to, Marta or Ctran wont be profitable either without state funding and with way less riders. Public transit is a service that isnt made to be profitable, unless you have some really high fares to ride it and if you have to pay $7 round trip, you might as well drive if you own a car.

Everyone in Clayton that is happy Ctran is gone because they had to pay for it and never used it will probably be the 1rst ones to hop on a GRTA Xpress Bus when gas hits $4 again and saying how happy they are they have a alternate.

No form of infrastructure, road or rail, is profitable on its own. All transport infrastructure in every country in the world relies on some sort of subsidy (even in Japan, in fact JR, which owns most Japanese railways, is in severe debt). In all cases but two is this subsidy borne by a regional or federal government, the exceptions being Hong Kong and New Delhi, which have property components that make up for any shortfall budget-wise. Looking at Hong Kong as the most efficient system in the world financially, there are some clear differences that could be brought over to the US and other places around the world.

Structurally, MTR is a for-profit company which has shares in the stock market. It is not a state-run agency, despite the Hong Kong government owning a 51% share. It does this by having a subsidiary agency, known as MTR Properties, which builds above stations. The money that comes from retailers, rentals, etc goes directly to MTR Properties, which in turn hands over its profit to MTR. As a result, the MTR Corporation had a HK$17.628bn annual revenue in 2008, equivalent to US$2.267bn. In turn, this allows the company to operate at a high standard and finance operational costs. Only in the case of expansion does the Hong Kong government play a part, solely due to the enormous cost of deep-boring tunnels. I'm not sure exactly what the dynamic there is, as there have been no major extensions since MTR went private, but with the system reaching capacity, we'll see what will happen.

What can we learn from this? Well, it seems to me that the most obvious solution is for MARTA and other agencies to develop above their stations. In MARTA's case, the funding mechanism would need to change so as to allow for it to use capital extension funds to build transit-oriented development, and while this may cost the agency more in the beginning, it will most likely recoup the cost.

[Listennow32]

Originally Posted by geoking66

No form of infrastructure, road or rail, is profitable on its own. All transport infrastructure in every country in the world relies on some sort of subsidy (even in Japan, in fact JR, which owns most Japanese railways, is in severe debt). In all cases but two is this subsidy borne by a regional or federal government, the exceptions being Hong Kong and New Delhi, which have property components that make up for any shortfall budget-wise. Looking at Hong Kong as the most efficient system in the world financially, there are some clear differences that could be brought over to the US and other places around the world.

Structurally, MTR is a for-profit company which has shares in the stock market. It is not a state-run agency, despite the Hong Kong government owning a 51% share. It does this by having a subsidiary agency, known as MTR Properties, which builds above stations. The money that comes from retailers, rentals, etc goes directly to MTR Properties, which in turn hands over its profit to MTR. As a result, the MTR Corporation had a HK$17.628bn annual revenue in 2008, equivalent to US$2.267bn. In turn, this allows the company to operate at a high standard and finance operational costs. Only in the case of expansion does the Hong Kong government play a part, solely due to the enormous cost of deep-boring tunnels. I'm not sure exactly what the dynamic there is, as there have been no major extensions since MTR went private, but with the system reaching capacity, we'll see what will happen.

What can we learn from this? Well, it seems to me that the most obvious solution is for MARTA and other agencies to develop above their stations. In MARTA's case, the funding mechanism would need to change so as to allow for it to use capital extension funds to build transit-oriented development, and while this may cost the agency more in the beginning, it will most likely recoup the cost.

Finally. Some sense

[oobanks]

Time to revisit this Thread, almost 4 years now. It has been a long time coming but the 1% sales Tax has been Approved as of 11/4/2014 and MARTA will be officially coming to Clayton County and inhancing the South Metro Region with public Transit. Maybe some things happen for a reason. The half functioning C-Tran had to be shut down to Push real solid Public Transit into the County thats Guaranteed to remain to complete the region.

[Tryska]

Originally Posted by geoking66

No form of infrastructure, road or rail, is profitable on its own. All transport infrastructure in every country in the world relies on some sort of subsidy (even in Japan, in fact JR, which owns most Japanese railways, is in severe debt). In all cases but two is this subsidy borne by a regional or federal government, the exceptions being Hong Kong and New Delhi, which have property components that make up for any shortfall budget-wise. Looking at Hong Kong as the most efficient system in the world financially, there are some clear differences that could be brought over to the US and other places around the world.

Structurally, MTR is a for-profit company which has shares in the stock market. It is not a state-run agency, despite the Hong Kong government owning a 51% share. It does this by having a subsidiary agency, known as MTR Properties, which builds above stations. The money that comes from retailers, rentals, etc goes directly to MTR Properties, which in turn hands over its profit to MTR. As a result, the MTR Corporation had a HK$17.628bn annual revenue in 2008, equivalent to US$2.267bn. In turn, this allows the company to operate at a high standard and finance operational costs. Only in the case of expansion does the Hong Kong government play a part, solely due to the enormous cost of deep-boring tunnels. I'm not sure exactly what the dynamic there is, as there have been no major extensions since MTR went private, but with the system reaching capacity, we'll see what will happen.

What can we learn from this? Well, it seems to me that the most obvious solution is for MARTA and other agencies to develop above their stations. In MARTA's case, the funding mechanism would need to change so as to allow for it to use capital extension funds to build transit-oriented development, and while this may cost the agency more in the beginning, it will most likely recoup the cost.

Good on geoking66 for being ahead of the curve. Well done - looks like Keith Parker is following your advice. (No brainer really)

[oobanks]

"First Signs of MARTA showing up in Clayton County" Marta Bus Stop Signs and Shelters are being erected and constructed. Agreements reached between Marta and the City of Riverdale on Bus Shelter Ads and Stations. Morrow on the other hand, is being complicated as ever with the way they want Bus Shelters and Stops to be built. They want 4 Seats in the shelter with lighting outside on a post when Marta's General Bus Shelters are 2 seats so there is room for Wheel Chairs and lighting inside. It's funny because i think Morrow was the problem Child during the C-Tran Era. It only allowed 3 bus Stops in the city. One at Clayton State College, Walmart and SouthLake Mall parking lot only. I hope they dont pose the same problem for Marta causing inadequate service.

[oobanks]

Marta was a major Topic and discussion at the South Metro Development conference in College Park. They advise the First routies should begin on the inital start date of March 21th despite snags with ordinances on Bus Shelters and benches in Morrow as Usual.


Clayton County shares bevy of success at South Metro Development Outlook Conference | Clayton News Daily

[oobanks]

The Moment is All most Finally Here!!! Our Transit News seems to be a nation wide story, lol...



MARTA returns to Clayton County - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports