MARTA transit plan includes 21 miles of light rail (Atlanta: 2015, prices)

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by bu2

It would have happened anyway almost certainly just as much of the east and west side are redeveloping.

If not, then it would have happened elsewhere in the city.

Those people are here. You can't just put up buildings and people appear from nowhere. The development would have occurred somewhere.

Yes, but instead it has happened in a walkable and transit oriented corridor, therefore reducing car trips. This is exactly the idea behind the BeltLine.

[primaltech]

What they should have done is made it a trolley bus. Since the whole argument about development is a sense of permanence, that a streetcar has over a bus.

When I was exploring Seattle the bus system really felt like a permanent fixture. Because of the overhead power which is physically fixed infrastructure, but also because of the high frequency, high capacity articulated bus, nice bus stops with shelters and seating and such, and because of the straight line corridor routes.

Transit is just infinitely better there than Atlanta. And they're not even really traditionally a big transit city like New York or Chicago. They just do buses right. And they're actually investing significantly in it and massively expanding regionally, while we talk about these small little projects.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by primaltech

What they should have done is made it a trolley bus. Since the whole argument about development is a sense of permanence, that a streetcar has over a bus.

When I was exploring Seattle the bus system really felt like a permanent fixture. Because of the overhead power which is physically fixed infrastructure, but also because of the high frequency, high capacity articulated bus, nice bus stops with shelters and seating and such, and because of the straight line corridor routes.

Transit is just infinitely better there than Atlanta. And they're not even really traditionally a big transit city like New York or Chicago. They just do buses right. And they're actually investing significantly in it and massively expanding regionally, while we talk about these small little projects.

I will say their bus network is better, but our rail network currently beats them hands down.
I would no consider the Atlanta BeltLine a 'small little project.' Metro Atlanta had a chance and voted no. So the City of Atlanta was given the opportunity to expand transit within it's city limits and it passed overwhelmingly.
Seattle has enacted zoning laws that concentrate density in areas that transit lines will reach with their build out. Atlanta, ACR, and State of Georgia has not followed up rail lines with matching land use.

[cqholt]

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will assume ownership and day-to-day operations of the Atlanta Streetcar from the City of Atlanta on July 1.

The four-car light rail system will be integrated into MARTA operations and its new Office of Light Rail Operations. This office will handle all daily operations, maintenance, and technical inspections. Communications, human resources, and policing, as well as other support services, will be provided by staff within current MARTA departments.

Starting July 1, it will be free to ride the streetcar.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by cqholt

"Starting July 1, it will be free to ride the streetcar."

https://atlantaintownpaper.com/2018/...car-on-july-1/

A media statement released this morning erroneously stated that rides on the streetcar would be free once MARTA took ownership, but officials walked back this announcement in a followup email stating “The MARTA Board of Directors will make a final determination on fare.”

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by cqholt

The four-car light rail system will be integrated into MARTA operations and its new Office of Light Rail Operations. This office will handle all daily operations, maintenance, and technical inspections. Communications, human resources, and policing, as well as other support services, will be provided by staff within current MARTA departments.

The trains should also be wrapped/painted in MARTA colors and not that Streetcar branding.

[autolycus25]

Originally Posted by Gulch

The trains should also be wrapped/painted in MARTA colors and not that Streetcar branding.

Although the Atlanta United one should definitely not be changed one bit. Five Stripes don't stop!

[bu2]

Originally Posted by Gulch

The trains should also be wrapped/painted in MARTA colors and not that Streetcar branding.

It would be nice if the buses had MARTA colors instead of whatever colors the ambulance chasers wanted.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by bu2

It would be nice if the buses had MARTA colors instead of whatever colors the ambulance chasers wanted.

Agreed. I can't stand the bus wraps.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by bu2

It would be nice if the buses had MARTA colors instead of whatever colors the ambulance chasers wanted.

If it brings in ad revenue, who cares what people shallow enough to judge based on ads think.