Governor Signs Metro Atlanta Transit Plan

ATLANTA, GA — Gov. Nathan Deal on Friday signed legislation into law that could kickstart the expansion of mass transit services throughout a 13-county metro Atlanta area.

House Bill 930 creates the state-level Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL), creating a new structure for governments and agencies to coordinate transit planning and funding in the region. The authority will be responsible for developing a new regional transit plan and identifying and prioritizing new transit projects.

Deal also signed off on a plan to allot $100 million in next year's budget to fund public transit.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

"Georgia is a destination for all types of industries and people from all walks of life to come and enjoy the economic and natural prosperity of our state," said Deal. "It is projected that the metro Atlanta area will add another 2.5 million residents by 2040, and HB 930 recognizes this growth and provides a coordinated, streamlined and unified approach to prepare for the future of metro Atlanta and the surrounding communities.

"With the establishment of the ATL, we are taking another significant step to ensure that our modes of transit and mobility are worthy of the No. 1 state for business and the best place for opportunity."

As companies like Amazon eye metro Atlanta as a possible home for new expansion, metro Atlanta's transit system has come into focus for many at the state and local level. Atlanta is somewhat famed for its crowded highway system and MARTA's rail system — which was shut out by suburban counties like Gwinnett, Cobb and Clayton when it was created in the 1970s — is limited compared to other major cities.

Deal said the authority is intended to "provide new options to get Georgians to their places of employment, community activities and homes to spend time with family more quickly and efficiently."

Under the legislation, public transit could be funded by new, one-percent local-option sales taxes for up to 30 years. The 13-county region under the plan is made up of Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale counties.

Administratively, the ATL will be attached to the existing Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and share resources. It will be governed by a 16-member board. Ten seats on the board will represent specially created transit districts and be chosen by a combination of county-commission chars and a caucus of local legislators.

One mayor, to be selected by a caucus of mayors from the district, will sit on the board. The board's chair will be appointed by the governor and the vice-chair will be selected from the board's membership by a vote of board members. Two board members will be appointed by the Georgia Speaker of the House and two will be appointed by the lieutenant governor, who presides over the state Senate.

The commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Transportation will sit on the board as a non-voting member. GRTA and State Road and Tollway Authority Executive Director Christopher Tomlinson will serve as the ATL’s interim director.

"This legislation helps us look at transit as part of our overall transportation infrastructure in the metropolitan Atlanta area," said House Speaker David Ralston. "It will enable us to work together to mitigate congestion, improve freight logistics and stimulate economic growth."

Photo courtesy Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority