Citing Cost, City of Atlanta Says MARTA Won’t Operate Streetcar (insurance, authority)

[gtcorndog]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I truly don't understand this hatred of the state.

It gives them a boogeyman to blame instead of blaming the city's long line of pathetic leadership.

[toll_booth]

There have been suggestions that whenever the east Beltline finally gets rail, this streetcar line might directly connect to it.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by gtcorndog

It gives them a boogeyman to blame instead of blaming the city's long line of pathetic leadership.

"The city's long line of pathetic leadership"?

[spotch]

No, portland streetcar is not ran by MAX, but outsourced to another company than the regional transit agency. The streetcars are owned by the city. Educate yourself.

I don't think you've actually addressed what I've been saying.

[spotch]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

I don't think it will be so much a patchwork. I fully expect the management of this streetcar to be the test bed for a private transit entity to run a much more robust transit network in the city and the metro. The only way rail transit will be extended outside of the two counties is with a public private partnership. The mayor has already stated that the p3 concept is the way transit will be developed along the belt line. This will be the test.

Like I said, time will tell. I'd much rather be on the receiving end of an "I told you so" than have to be the one doling those out after its all said and done (I'd rather my pessimism be proven wrong), but I'm not holding my breath.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

"The city's long line of pathetic leadership"?

Forget it, he's rolling.

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by spotch

Incredible. Just incredible. So after hamstringing Marta for decades we ensure it's continued weakness by fragmenting the hell out of our mass transit system. And in the process, we bring in a private entity that will not only have to cover its operating expenses, but will have to turn a healthy profit in the process (i.e. gouging and higher rates).

Only a matter of time until nobody rides it because the fares are too high (since we're paying operating costs + profits), and then the OTP politicians who hate any kinds of transit can point at it and say "Hey look, mass transit really DOESN'T work! More proof that cars are the only viable way to get around any city." And instead of giving Marta a shot at horizontal integration, we ensure that it stays isolated and weak forever.

Just incredible.

Is it really that bad?

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by cqholt

This will most likely be ran like the portland streetcar. The outsourced company will not raise rates.
Please take the walking tour. All these questions are answered and more.

When and where does one take this walking tour?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by BlackPeach2

When and where does one take this walking tour?

I don't know whether they have guided tours on a regular basis but the easiest thing is to just go downtown and start following the tracks.

[cqholt]

They had tours, monthly, during the warm months. Keep as eye on their facebook page for tour announcements.