MARTA unveils its dream project list for November Referendum (Atlanta: legally, activity)

[jero23]

Originally Posted by cqholt

I was not aware of that, but thank you for your insight. I am just giving my opinion and would rather not see our limited funds all be spent on this project. Which is why I suggested BRT or even ART and give those residents and workers along the corridor a reliable transit connection, one that will be minimally effected by congestion.

I agree that BRT or this articulated rapid transit (ART) mode will work for now and the short term, but ultimately these extensions to the MARTA HRT mode would be the best thing in the long run for increased density inside I-285. It would also induce much more dense developments in the southwestern portion of the city proper.

[fourthwarden]

Atlanta to hire outside contractor to run Atlanta Streetcar


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Can't we just contract to MARTA? Please?

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Atlanta to hire outside contractor to run Atlanta Streetcar

Can't we just contract to MARTA? Please?

My best guess is that MARTA doesn't have the capacity to suddenly take over running the streetcar, whereas a private transportation company could step in pretty much immediately. If MARTA ends up building all of the extensions of the streetcar then I'm sure the downtown loop would come under their management eventually as well.

I think the immediate need was to find someone competent to run what's basically a proof of concept system while the rest of it gets built out. The city was obviously not capable in that regard.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by magnetar

My best guess is that MARTA doesn't have the capacity to suddenly take over running the streetcar, whereas a private transportation company could step in pretty much immediately. If MARTA ends up building all of the extensions of the streetcar then I'm sure the downtown loop would come under their management eventually as well.

I think the immediate need was to find someone competent to run what's basically a proof of concept system while the rest of it gets built out. The city was obviously not capable in that regard.

Atlanta doesn't have the capacity to fully operate the any form of rail transit on its own. An agreement with MARTA to operate this component should have drafted years ago, but this is Reed's doing as to why that won't occur...

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Atlanta to hire outside contractor to run Atlanta Streetcar


::


Can't we just contract to MARTA? Please?

Did MARTA submit proposal? How do we know MARTA currently has the capacity to operate it?

“Until it connects to something or goes where people want to go, we're going to have those ridership numbers,” Ms. Moore told us.

Did Felecia Moore just call COP and King Historic District nothing?

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by magnetar

My best guess is that MARTA doesn't have the capacity to suddenly take over running the streetcar, whereas a private transportation company could step in pretty much immediately. If MARTA ends up building all of the extensions of the streetcar then I'm sure the downtown loop would come under their management eventually as well.

I think the immediate need was to find someone competent to run what's basically a proof of concept system while the rest of it gets built out. The city was obviously not capable in that regard.

I hope you are right. This decision seems maddening on the surface. I hope there is at least a reason we don't know about yet that would cause MARTA not to run the streetcar for now.

Does this mean there is potential that a 3rd party would run all streetcar operations going forward? I hope not

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

I hope you are right. This decision seems maddening on the surface. I hope there is at least a reason we don't know about yet that would cause MARTA not to run the streetcar for now.

Does this mean there is potential that a 3rd party would run all streetcar operations going forward? I hope not

MARTA has a lot on their plate right now, with potential sales tax increase, Clayton County expansion, rail car replacement program, etc. We should not get upset at CoA, Reed, etc. without knowing if MARTA even applied.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by cqholt

MARTA has a lot on their plate right now, with potential sales tax increase, Clayton County expansion, rail car replacement program, etc. We should not get upset at CoA, Reed, etc. without knowing if MARTA even applied.

Good point, you are right that it is not a good idea to jump to conclusions in situations like this. Ill put the pitchfork down....for now

[arjay57]

Maybe MARTA just doesn't want to get tangled up in COA politics.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Maybe MARTA just doesn't want to get tangled up in COA politics.

Considering how much of the Streetcar/ light rail plan they're looking to fund, I doubt that's the case.