The ATL: new regional transit system (Atlanta, Marietta: single, frequency, driving)

[Moosehd]

Originally Posted by primaltech

Anyway, with a 1/2 penny sales tax over 30 years, I would think Cobb should be able to build a nice commuter rail system along the CSX corridor, plus 7-days, much better bus service in the county. Plus probably a second commuter rail line for Mableton/Austell/Powder Springs.

That would be about all we need, really. IMO.

I agree 100%. Just figure if they are going to connect to MARTA or to the MMPT

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by Moosehd

I agree 100%. Just figure if they are going to connect to MARTA or to the MMPT

Something needs to be worked out between Cobb, Atlanta, Georgia, ATL/MARTA, and CIM Group, before they start construction on that Gulch development.

Let's sit all these parties down at the table together so they can figure something out. It doesn't need to be a fancy, expensive station. Just something where people can get off the commuter rail train and transfer to Five Points MARTA for the rest of their trip in any direction.

Figure out a fair compromise as far as who's paying for how much of what, and get it done. Obviously Cobb would pay for everything in Cobb, but maybe could help pay for the terminal as well. At least a fraction of it.

[evannole]

Originally Posted by Moosehd

Wow. It's so much wrong with your statement I don't know where to begin.

First it's not about how long someone sits on a train it's about not having to drive. If someone in Lawrenceville can get on a heavy rail train into Atlanta for work or play they don't care about how many stops it is. They just don't want to have to worry about the long drive or traffic especially the people driving during rush hour.

Second if someone in Gwinnett has to get to the airport for a flight why would they take that long drive and pay $5+ per day to park when they can just sit on the train for $2.50?

The last thing on people mind would be how many stops it is. They will be on a train on the phone, reading taking a nap or talking with their friends. People in other cities with no express trains don't care about how many stops there is. Perfect example that people complain about anything. First people complain that MARTA doesn't go far enough now when MARTA wants to go farther out now people are saying it's too many stops lol wow smh

There has to be a happy medium. When I go to Paris these days, I frequently avoid taking the RER-B from CDG airport into the city because there's no longer an express train, or even one with a condensed number of stops. The only trains running on the line now stop at every single stop, and it takes forever to get to Gare du Nord and beyond. It's extremely tedious, and that tedium is one of the reasons that France is building a new non-stop express line from CDG to the Gare de l'Est, which will cut travel times to 20 minutes.

Over what's already a fairly long distance, passengers are going to have limited appetite for making lots of stops. Commuter rail probably makes more sense for much of Cobb and Gwinnett.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by primaltech

Depends on a lot of factors, but heavy rail costs about 10 times more than commuter rail on average.

Something like $250 million per mile, vs $25 million per mile. Just guessing.

The I-20 East Extension is estimated at $170M/mile
https://www.citylab.com/transportati...the-us/551408/

[Moosehd]

How often could a commuter rail run per hour here?

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by Moosehd

How often could a commuter rail run per hour here?

"At our pleasure."

-CSX and Norfolk Southern

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Moosehd

Wow. It's so much wrong with your statement I don't know where to begin.

First it's not about how long someone sits on a train it's about not having to drive. If someone in Lawrenceville can get on a heavy rail train into Atlanta for work or play they don't care about how many stops it is. They just don't want to have to worry about the long drive or traffic especially the people driving during rush hour.

Second if someone in Gwinnett has to get to the airport for a flight why would they take that long drive and pay $5+ per day to park when they can just sit on the train for $2.50?

The last thing on people mind would be how many stops it is. They will be on a train on the phone, reading taking a nap or talking with their friends. People in other cities with no express trains don't care about how many stops there is. Perfect example that people complain about anything. First people complain that MARTA doesn't go far enough now when MARTA wants to go farther out now people are saying it's too many stops lol wow smh

Originally Posted by arjay57

I think you might get differing opinions on this. At some point the number of stops does become an issue -- at least it would be for me.

Originally Posted by Moosehd

Talking about the average person. Sure some people would rather drive from Lawrenceville to Downtown leaving at 7am during the week but the average person would rather sit back on a train but everyone is different.. If you would rather sit on 85 at 7am do you brother

Originally Posted by evannole

There has to be a happy medium. When I go to Paris these days, I frequently avoid taking the RER-B from CDG airport into the city because there's no longer an express train, or even one with a condensed number of stops. The only trains running on the line now stop at every single stop, and it takes forever to get to Gare du Nord and beyond. It's extremely tedious, and that tedium is one of the reasons that France is building a new non-stop express line from CDG to the Gare de l'Est, which will cut travel times to 20 minutes.

Over what's already a fairly long distance, passengers are going to have limited appetite for making lots of stops. Commuter rail probably makes more sense for much of Cobb and Gwinnett.

But, BART.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oa...711137!5m1!1e2


BART
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_Area_Rapid_Transit

[Moosehd]

Originally Posted by Gulch

"At our pleasure."

-CSX and Norfolk Southern

They can build their on track next to their tracks

[tikigod311]

100% agree that Commuter rail is the best option for rail in Cobb. Forget this light rail nonsense for long transit lines, seriously.

Here's how transit will find success in Cobb. Frequent and fast commuter rail style service with synchronized transfers to buses. It has to be significantly quicker than driving during rush hours.

Provide a full solution like that and viola, you will get buy-in from voters. Provide an alternative that is quicker than driving and people will be willing to spend tax dollars on that project. This is no time for half measures, we've been on that kick for too damn long

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

100% agree that Commuter rail is the best option for rail in Cobb. Forget this light rail nonsense for long transit lines, seriously.

Here's how transit will find success in Cobb. Frequent and fast commuter rail style service with synchronized transfers to buses. It has to be significantly quicker than driving during rush hours.

Provide a full solution like that and viola, you will get buy-in from voters. Provide an alternative that is quicker than driving and people will be willing to spend tax dollars on that project. This is no time for half measures, we've been on that kick for too damn long

And then the other benefit to commuter rail is that the stops could be in actually walkable areas like the Marietta square. Whereas a heavy or light rail line along I-75 would be extremely if not totally park&ride oriented.

A commuter rail could potentially be both. Commuter park&ride and walk-up and bus connections.