A committee of the Atlanta Regional Commission has proposed a possible solution that might keep MARTA running seven days a week.

This is terrific news for the short term. If approved, the proposed solution would buy more time for the state to correct the law that caused the current crisis. It is not a permanent solution.

The Atlanta Regional Commission should be commended for acting responsibly. The proposal could remove the need for the Governor to call a Special Session of the Georgia General Assembly.

No matter what happens, long term seven day a week service will depend on the Georgia General Assembly passing Senate Bill 120 as soon as possible. SB 120 will give MARTA the flexibility to spend its existing funds more efficiently during the remainder of the economic recession and into the recovery.

It is now possible that passage of the bill can wait until January, when the General Assembly resumes its regular session. However, should the Governor call a special session for any reason before then he should add SB 120 as an item for consideration.

We want to give you the best advice about where to focus your energy on this issue. But because events are still developing, we suggest that you check back so that we can tell you who most needs to hear from you on this issue.

Thank you to all who have expressed support for seven day a week service so far. Your work is clearly paying off.

Ask Governor Perdue to Call a Special Session to Prevent MARTA Cuts

MARTA may have to cut all bus and train service on Fridays.

MARTA already has money it could use to keep running seven days a week, but Georgia law will not let that money be used for bus and train operations.

Georgia's General Assembly could have kept MARTA trains and buses running seven days a week without spending a single dime. It just needed to pass one law.

But it did not.

The Georgia Senate did vote to approve the needed change, but the House of Representatives left town for the year without getting the job done.

Bring them back.

Now.

Ask Governor Perdue to Call the General Assembly into Special Session on MARTA. Please call the Governor's office now at (404) 656-1776 or send a message through the Governor's website.

Click here for the Governor's Contact Page

Sample message:

Dear Governor Perdue:

Our jobs and our quality of life are connected to MARTA's ability to run seven days a week. Georgia's economy is already in trouble with one of the highest unemployment rates since the Great Depression.

Please keep MARTA running seven days a week so that Georgia can continue to attract conventions, get to Braves and Falcons games, operate the world's busiest airport, and avoid a traffic nightmare.

Proposed MARTA service cuts would not only harm our economy short-term, but would also set our State years behind in any future recovery.


Please call the legislature back to a Special Session to pass SB 120, and provide MARTA the flexibility to continue service seven days a week.


Sincerely,

Your Name

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Transit Advocates Celebrate

Transit advocates are praising the Atlanta Regional Commission for approving Wednesday the most far-reaching public transit expansion plan in decades.

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) board members voted Wednesday to approve the “Concept 3” plan created by the regional Transit Planning Board.

Click here to see Concept 3

The Concept 3 plan includes heavy rail expansion, express buses, light rail, and streetcars. Popular projects include the Beltline and portions of the Macon-Atlanta-Athens “Brain Train” commuter rail route.

“If we actually build the projects in Concept 3, it will transform metro Atlanta in the 21st century just as assuredly as the railroads did in the 19th Century and the Airport and highways did in the 20th Century,” said Lee Biola, president of Citizens for Progressive Transit.

Anticipating the positive vote, transit supporters held a celebration Tuesday night. The event included a presentation by the outgoing staff director of the Transit Planning Board. Citizens for Progressive Transit volunteers gave a sneak peak at a tool that will eventually be put online to show Atlantans how new Concept 3 transit projects could improve their commute.

Wednesday’s approval brings the mass transit projects into the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Projects must get into the RTP to have any hope of federal funding.

The “Concept 3” plan is the product of a two year process guided by the Transit Planning Board, a temporary entity created by the Atlanta Regional Commission, MARTA, and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority.

“These infrastructure investments will not only prepare Atlanta for the next gas shortage, they will encourage walkable communities, reduce air pollution, and give people a dependable way out of traffic,” said Biola.

A Toast to "Concept 3"

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Location: Shout, 1197 Peachtree Street

Sponsored by Zipcar, Inc http://www.zipcar.com

For the first time in many years, Metro Atlanta is on the verge of expanding quality public transit.

"Concept 3" is a plan that includes commuter rail from Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, and other counties into Atlanta. It includes rail transit on all four segments of the Beltline. It includes express busways. It includes streetcars.

Click here to see Concept 3

There are many reasons to celebrate.

Come join the party. Speakers will tell us more about "Concept 3" and what we can all do to move it from "Concept" to "Concrete."

DIRECTIONS: Take MARTA to the Arts Center Rail Station (N5). Take the Woodruff Arts Center station exit and make a right on Arts Center Way. Take a left on 15th Street and a right on Peachtree Street. Shout will be on the left side of Peachtree Street as part of the Colony Square complex. 1197 Peachtree Street.

Try the A-TRAIN Trip Planner at: http://trip.atltransit.com