MARTA Expansion into Clayton = Long awaited Commuter Rail? (Atlanta, Macon: maintenance, costs)

[bfarley30]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Heavy rail isn't great for long distances, it is overkill. Commuter rail is just fine for all the way to Lovejoy.

Clayton county isn't a "long" distance. HRT should be to extended into the county.

Originally Posted by cqholt

HRT to maybe the international terminal but commuter rail in Clayton is perfect. It could demonstrate how well it could work in other corridors.

HRT should be ATLEAST to the I-75/Southlake area as a commuter terminal for folks coming up I-75 into the city. I personally feel Jonesboro should be the terminus.

I think people are hearing "rail" and think it's good. It's not really good for the inner core counties, especially the big 5. Remember most commuter rail lines run in the peak hours only and even those that run all day run slow. Even in NYC commuter trains run about every 20-30 minutes apart during rush hour. Who wants to wait that long for a train when you are in the core metro area? From Macon to Atlanta, yeah I could see that. From Jonesboro to Atlanta, heck no. Way too close to the core to have to wait that long.

[LynnHarris]

Vigil precedes transit tax meeting in Clayton County, as vote to extend another sales tax looms in 2015 | SaportaReport

[stepsinsc]

So if MARTA is heavy rail, and an extension were commuter rail, does this mean a transfer would be required to get intown from Clayton?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by stepsinsc

So if MARTA is heavy rail, and an extension were commuter rail, does this mean a transfer would be required to get intown from Clayton?

Yes. Most likely at East Point or the commuter rail line may be extended to downtown, but creating this line would place the MMPT at a higher priority on the GDOT's list.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by stepsinsc

So if MARTA is heavy rail, and an extension were commuter rail, does this mean a transfer would be required to get intown from Clayton?

No, by the time the dust settles, there is no way they would run the commuter rail anywhere except into downtown. The only "transfer" might be at the international terminal, or East Point, but it would be for people heading to destinations south of Downtown and be one of pure convenience rather than forcing a transfer.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by LynnHarris

Vigil precedes transit tax meeting in Clayton County, as vote to extend another sales tax looms in 2015 | SaportaReport

[LynnHarris]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

I agree....

[atler8]

Yup..mark me as "yes" & I live in Clayton.
As a matter of fact, after I arrive in Jonesboro at the GRTA park & ride lot early this evening, I will drive by the rally site (as noted in an update here of today) on Smith St. & see what's up.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by bfarley30

Clayton county isn't a "long" distance. HRT should be to extended into the county.



HRT should be ATLEAST to the I-75/Southlake area as a commuter terminal for folks coming up I-75 into the city. I personally feel Jonesboro should be the terminus.

I think people are hearing "rail" and think it's good. It's not really good for the inner core counties, especially the big 5. Remember most commuter rail lines run in the peak hours only and even those that run all day run slow. Even in NYC commuter trains run about every 20-30 minutes apart during rush hour. Who wants to wait that long for a train when you are in the core metro area? From Macon to Atlanta, yeah I could see that. From Jonesboro to Atlanta, heck no. Way too close to the core to have to wait that long.

I agree. Stopping at the airport, MARTA isn't usuable for anyone in the south.

The same is true for the last west stop, although I don't think I-20 West has the same number of commuters. But it would be more usuable if it extended past 285.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by bfarley30

Clayton county isn't a "long" distance. HRT should be to extended into the county.



HRT should be ATLEAST to the I-75/Southlake area as a commuter terminal for folks coming up I-75 into the city. I personally feel Jonesboro should be the terminus.

I think people are hearing "rail" and think it's good. It's not really good for the inner core counties, especially the big 5. Remember most commuter rail lines run in the peak hours only and even those that run all day run slow. Even in NYC commuter trains run about every 20-30 minutes apart during rush hour. Who wants to wait that long for a train when you are in the core metro area? From Macon to Atlanta, yeah I could see that. From Jonesboro to Atlanta, heck no. Way too close to the core to have to wait that long.

^^^ This.