Atlanta’s relationship with the automobile is reaching a crossroads. (Doraville: mover, purchase)

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Transit is not a need. It is a want.

Also true.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

If you want to argue against MARTA's own budgetary documents, I'm willing to hear those arguments. But, it seems pretty well proven that passenger revenue accounts for less than 15% of MARTA's operational costs, and single-digit percentage of total costs. Sales taxes (from largely non-users) pulls in 2.5 times more revenue. Riders are getting a massive steal.

So is the business community. They are reaping gigantic benefits from transit, without ponying up one dime in funding.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

So is the business community. They are reaping gigantic benefits from transit, without ponying up one dime in funding.

Private businesses are leading the way and footing the full bill for transit expansions elsewhere in the world including exotic places like Chicago. Of course basically all those places that are getting that private funded transit also have toll roads that level the playing field for transit.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

So is the business community. They are reaping gigantic benefits from transit, without ponying up one dime in funding.

Atlanta BeltLine Inc is exploring a Transit Improvement District which will overlay the TAD and function like a CID, but instead only fund transit.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Private businesses are leading the way and footing the full bill for transit expansions elsewhere in the world including exotic places like Chicago. Of course basically all those places that are getting that private funded transit also have toll roads that level the playing field for transit.

Remove the gas tax, and I'll pay your tolls. Otherwise, you're double-billing me on top of the requirement that I provide my own vehicle, fuel, maintenance, and insurance. Otherwise, start figuring out a way for transit users to fund more transit.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Remove the gas tax, and I'll pay your tolls. Otherwise, you're double-billing me on top of the requirement that I provide my own vehicle, fuel, maintenance, and insurance. Otherwise, start figuring out a way for transit users to fund more transit.

There is not a practical way to toll every street at this point. Only the major ones. Gas tax should cover 100% of the non-tolled road network. And the tolls should cover 100% of a give toll road. That also means tolls & demand has to be high enough to warrant building the road. The same way private transit works. They get funded because the executed demand and fares are enough to fully pay for the project.

[autolycus25]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Atlanta BeltLine Inc is exploring a Transit Improvement District which will overlay the TAD and function like a CID, but instead only fund transit.

Good. We need for the businesses (including/especially the developers who aren't involved for the long-haul) to pay a greater share. They reap a lot of the rewards from transit expansion.

I hope the North Fulton CID can somehow step up to the plate and find a solution to getting the Red Line extension done as well. My understanding is that organization very badly wants the project to happen. Put your money where your mouth is.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by autolycus25

Good. We need for the businesses (including/especially the developers who aren't involved for the long-haul) to pay a greater share. They reap a lot of the rewards from transit expansion.

I hope the North Fulton CID can somehow step up to the plate and find a solution to getting the Red Line extension done as well. My understanding is that organization very badly wants the project to happen. Put your money where your mouth is.

Why aren't they lobbying Fulton Co Commissioners?

[autolycus25]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Why aren't they lobbying Fulton Co Commissioners?

They might be. I honestly don't know.

FWIW, Brandon Beach is the Executive Director of North Fulton CID. He was also recently (end of April) appointed to the Fulton County Development Authority Board of Directors.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by jsvh

There is not a practical way to toll every street at this point. Only the major ones. Gas tax should cover 100% of the non-tolled road network. And the tolls should cover 100% of a give toll road. That also means tolls & demand has to be high enough to warrant building the road. The same way private transit works. They get funded because the executed demand and fares are enough to fully pay for the project.

Okay..you're talking about additional toll roads, not putting tolls on our existing roads.