Design Your Own MARTA Expansion (Atlanta, Macon: school, universities, subsidized)

[SEAandATL]

For my idea of Metro Atlanta/Georgia rail system, I support the idea of private companies building and operating train lines, buses, and stations rather than having city, county, or state governments run them. I think that even MARTA should become privatized. Isn't the Beltline a private organization, or will it be run by MARTA?

As far as routes:

- First there should be a Northwest Line (could be CCT, GRTA, or private company) to parallel I-75 from Midtown or Arts Center to Acworth via Cumberland and Kennesaw/Town Center.

- A Northeast Line (could be GCT, GRTA, or private company) running from Doraville to Gainsville via Duluth and Mall or Georgia .

- A commuter line to Macon as proposed

- The "Brain Train" (call it a different name), such as "The University Line" or "Bulldog Line", operated by a private company

- A line paralleling 285 and connecting Cumberland and Dunwoody

- A commuter line from North Point (the new terminus for the North-South Line) to Dahlonega paralleling 400, with buses serving the state parks and recreational areas in the mountains, all run by a private company called the NGMT (North Georgia Mountain Transit, Inc.). Those buses could also connect to Toccoa and Gainsville stations.

- Extend the East Line to Stone Mountain

Another change I would make is rename the MARTA Lines back to their original names, or name them after their origin/destination such as "The Doraville Line" or "Dunwoody Line". I don't really like the color names. Also, the MMPT should be called "Atlanta Station".

[Listennow32]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

For my idea of Metro Atlanta/Georgia rail system, I support the idea of private companies building and operating train lines, buses, and stations rather than having city, county, or state governments run them. I think that even MARTA should become privatized. Isn't the Beltline a private organization, or will it be run by MARTA?

As far as routes:

- First there should be a Northwest Line (could be CCT, GRTA, or private company) to parallel I-75 from Midtown or Arts Center to Acworth via Cumberland and Kennesaw/Town Center.

- A Northeast Line (could be GCT, GRTA, or private company) running from Doraville to Gainsville via Duluth and Mall or Georgia .

- A commuter line to Macon as proposed

- The "Brain Train" (call it a different name), such as "The University Line" or "Bulldog Line", operated by a private company

- A line paralleling 285 and connecting Cumberland and Dunwoody

- A commuter line from North Point (the new terminus for the North-South Line) to Dahlonega paralleling 400, with buses serving the state parks and recreational areas in the mountains, all run by a private company called the NGMT (North Georgia Mountain Transit, Inc.). Those buses could also connect to Toccoa and Gainsville stations.

- Extend the East Line to Stone Mountain

Another change I would make is rename the MARTA Lines back to their original names, or name them after their origin/destination such as "The Doraville Line" or "Dunwoody Line". I don't really like the color names. Also, the MMPT should be called "Atlanta Station".

I really like the Brain Train Idea. The University of Georgia is truly isolated from the vibrant university atmosphere of Atlanta. Imagine how many partnerships would be created!

[lookup138]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

For my idea of Metro Atlanta/Georgia rail system, I support the idea of private companies building and operating train lines, buses, and stations rather than having city, county, or state governments run them. I think that even MARTA should become privatized. Isn't the Beltline a private organization, or will it be run by MARTA?

As far as routes:

- First there should be a Northwest Line (could be CCT, GRTA, or private company) to parallel I-75 from Midtown or Arts Center to Acworth via Cumberland and Kennesaw/Town Center.

- A Northeast Line (could be GCT, GRTA, or private company) running from Doraville to Gainsville via Duluth and Mall or Georgia .

- A commuter line to Macon as proposed

- The "Brain Train" (call it a different name), such as "The University Line" or "Bulldog Line", operated by a private company

- A line paralleling 285 and connecting Cumberland and Dunwoody

- A commuter line from North Point (the new terminus for the North-South Line) to Dahlonega paralleling 400, with buses serving the state parks and recreational areas in the mountains, all run by a private company called the NGMT (North Georgia Mountain Transit, Inc.). Those buses could also connect to Toccoa and Gainsville stations.

- Extend the East Line to Stone Mountain

Another change I would make is rename the MARTA Lines back to their original names, or name them after their origin/destination such as "The Doraville Line" or "Dunwoody Line". I don't really like the color names. Also, the MMPT should be called "Atlanta Station".

SEAandATL your ideas are genius! Especially the commuter line to Macon, which will eliminate the need for the controversial tax-payer funded commuter jets that fly out to Macon from ATL just about everyday whether the flight is empty or partially full... And to think we pay for it?!
So yes, a MARTA commuter line would be more feasible.

[lookup138]

Originally Posted by Listennow32

I really like the Brain Train Idea. The University of Georgia is truly isolated from the vibrant university atmosphere of Atlanta. Imagine how many partnerships would be created!

I agree... UGA is just too far outside of Atlanta. Even with the Lawrenceville campus (which barely offers any courses) it's not enough. So until they spread more campuses and classes around Gwinnett county, they will need some form of transit to and from ATL.

[ostriches]

Are you guys serious???, or just bored out of your minds.
Cobb County has not proven itself. There is no future economy for Cobb County. Cobb was built around the housing industry,... it's gone now! Lots of vacant houses & shopping centers.
North Fulton has scouted out, wooed & protected its wealthy citizens & private business. The cities along the 400 corridor are seeing dense TOD & are proving to be sustainable. THEY will see MARTA extended in that direction, up to Mansell Rd & the Verizon Amphitheatre Area.
Gwinnett has a SOLID international community & will continue to woo foreign companies to locate to Gwinnett. The MARTA rail that stops in Doraville will partner w/ Gwinnett to proceed w/ the 'light rail' line. You can see it on the Gwinnett Village CID.
Kennesaw & KSU are growing .
Unfortunately, Smyrna & Marietta have proven ineffective, corrupt backwards cities. Any rail would have to lay 10 miles of tracks past these two 'dead zones'.
Ain't gonna happen. As long as the corrption in Smyrna continues,... Cobb will continue to loose business & infrastructure will crumble. Too bad-- any of you that think any rail will come along the I-75 corridor,... don't understand economics!!

[back2dc]

Originally Posted by ostriches

Are you guys serious???, or just bored out of your minds.
Cobb County has not proven itself. There is no future economy for Cobb County. Cobb was built around the housing industry,... it's gone now! Lots of vacant houses & shopping centers.
North Fulton has scouted out, wooed & protected its wealthy citizens & private business. The cities along the 400 corridor are seeing dense TOD & are proving to be sustainable. THEY will see MARTA extended in that direction, up to Mansell Rd & the Verizon Amphitheatre Area.
Gwinnett has a SOLID international community & will continue to woo foreign companies to locate to Gwinnett. The MARTA rail that stops in Doraville will partner w/ Gwinnett to proceed w/ the 'light rail' line. You can see it on the Gwinnett Village CID.
Kennesaw & KSU are growing .
Unfortunately, Smyrna & Marietta have proven ineffective, corrupt backwards cities. Any rail would have to lay 10 miles of tracks past these two 'dead zones'.
Ain't gonna happen. As long as the corrption in Smyrna continues,... Cobb will continue to loose business & infrastructure will crumble. Too bad-- any of you that think any rail will come along the I-75 corridor,... don't understand economics!!

I have to agree with you here. You illustrate some very painful but poignant economic truths about the Atlanta area. Not very popular on this board as most of the Atlanta forum appear to have severe delusions of grandeur or choose to live in Fantasyland.

This is why I'm concerned that my parents housing equity will never bounce back. Cobb County years ago cut off its nose to spite its face by being so belligerently conservative. Time to pay the piper. Or maybe we should all just "pray" since that is how most Georgia politicians seem to handle crises. Flying Spaghetti Monster here we come.

I'd watch out though. The Superfriends are going to have a field day with your brutally honest assessment. Wait, look up in the sky, it's a bird, no a plane, no it's CAPTAIN ATLANTA!!!"

[RandyWatson13]

Originally Posted by ostriches

Are you guys serious???, or just bored out of your minds.
Cobb County has not proven itself. There is no future economy for Cobb County. Cobb was built around the housing industry,... it's gone now! Lots of vacant houses & shopping centers.
North Fulton has scouted out, wooed & protected its wealthy citizens & private business. The cities along the 400 corridor are seeing dense TOD & are proving to be sustainable. THEY will see MARTA extended in that direction, up to Mansell Rd & the Verizon Amphitheatre Area.
Gwinnett has a SOLID international community & will continue to woo foreign companies to locate to Gwinnett. The MARTA rail that stops in Doraville will partner w/ Gwinnett to proceed w/ the 'light rail' line. You can see it on the Gwinnett Village CID.
Kennesaw & KSU are growing .
Unfortunately, Smyrna & Marietta have proven ineffective, corrupt backwards cities. Any rail would have to lay 10 miles of tracks past these two 'dead zones'.
Ain't gonna happen. As long as the corrption in Smyrna continues,... Cobb will continue to loose business & infrastructure will crumble. Too bad-- any of you that think any rail will come along the I-75 corridor,... don't understand economics!!

You are correct, Cobb County is by far the worst metro atlanta county.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by RandyWatson13

You are correct, Cobb County is by far the worst metro atlanta county.

True, Cobb should model itself on Clayton County. Especially that wonderful Clayton County school system.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by Listennow32

I really like the Brain Train Idea. The University of Georgia is truly isolated from the vibrant university atmosphere of Atlanta. Imagine how many partnerships would be created!

I just don't see the need. UGA has its own vibrant university atmosphere...possibly better. And what sort of partnerships do we need with UGA that only a "Brain Train" can provide? We have Georgia Gwinnett now in Gwinnett so we don't need UGA there. UGA even has a branch campus in Buckhead with its Terry Evening MBA. Uh...isn't that why we have GSU, KSU, Georgia Tech, and even Emory? The proposed Brain Train is just a subsidized connection for UGA to the Atlanta market. Other Altanta schools fill any needed niches. We don't need a UGA branch campus here.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by Listennow32

I really like the Brain Train Idea. The University of Georgia is truly isolated from the vibrant university atmosphere of Atlanta. Imagine how many partnerships would be created!

I just don't see the need. UGA has its own vibrant university atmosphere...possibly better. And what sort of partnerships do we need with UGA that only a "Brain Train" can provide? We have Georgia Gwinnett now in Gwinnett so we don't need UGA there. UGA even has a branch campus in Buckhead with its Terry Evening MBA. Uh...isn't that why we have GSU, KSU, Georgia Tech, and even Emory? The proposed Brain Train is just a subsidized connection for UGA to the Atlanta market. Other Altanta schools fill any needed niches. We don't need a UGA branch campus here.

And why do people think we need a commuter line to...Macon?