MARTA News (Atlanta, Between: city hall, credit, vs)

[sciblue]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

I think this is the main reason MARTA failed in Gwinnett.

Voters were too smart to bring in rail that only goes a few miles to Jimmy Carter in a decade. If it ever really happened at all.

MARTA is pathetic.

This is the EXACT reason why I voted against it. I'm all for mass transit but I do not desire a tax hike to pay for something that "might" happen decades from now and nothing I would ever actually use since it would extend "maybe" 4 miles into a part of Gwinnett that is nowhere near me.

[ATLTJL]

It's one thing to talk about places with totally different histories and cultures beating us on transit, like China, Japan and Europe. But Canada and Australia are very similar to us. If they can do it, there's absolutely no reason we should be so far behind.

I agree MARTA really needs to get its act together if it wants to expand. Why should anyone vote to fund it when it fails so miserably at delivering on its promises? I voted for it, but I'm beginning to be not so upset it failed.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: If comprehensive mass transit is important to you, waiting around in Atlanta is a fool's errand. Your best bet is to just move somewhere that already has it instead of banging your head against a wall.

[arjay57]

Kinda makes you wonder if we should have just stuck with the Brits. I mean, they did slap a tax on our tea, but I hardly even drink the stuff.

[brown_dog_us]

Successful projects make voters want to fund expansion. Look at Seattle.

MARTA has never delivered what they promised. In 10 years when they want more money everyone will be asking about the beltline rail that is planned for 2050 or whenever.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by sciblue

This is the EXACT reason why I voted against it. I'm all for mass transit but I do not desire a tax hike to pay for something that "might" happen decades from now and nothing I would ever actually use since it would extend "maybe" 4 miles into a part of Gwinnett that is nowhere near me.

While I wish Gwinnett had voted for MARTA expansion, I can understand this for being a reason not to do it.

I feel like Gwinnett needs a combination of commuter rail, rapid transit, BRT, and regular bus service. If the cost is prohibitive then at least put in commuter rail first. There are two good places for it--the Norfolk Southern line next to Buford Highway, and the CSX line that heads through Lawrenceville and goes to Athens.

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by brown_dog_us

Successful projects make voters want to fund expansion. Look at Seattle.

MARTA has never delivered what they promised. In 10 years when they want more money everyone will be asking about the beltline rail that is planned for 2050 or whenever.

That's why I would have voted no if I lived in the COA, or on any measure that involves raising taxes for a government run system. I would have voted no if I lived in Gwinett. The private sector is the way to go, like they do in Japan. Japan is the example to follow for that and anything for that matter, since it's the greatest nation in the world and I wish I was still living there.

[architect77]

Originally Posted by demonta4

Unfortunately, this isn't only Atlanta and happens all across the country. The only difference is that when Charlotte plans a light rail line, it was 10 years ago and actually gets built without significant pushback from ignorant conservatives like in Georgia.

North Carolinians trust their state government for the most part.

Georgia’s long history of corruption and public servants on the take so by default there is little faith in govt. doing things on the up and up prevents fervent support.

This is also why the Northern Arc was believed to be mostly for landowners to get rich.

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by architect77

North Carolinians trust their state government for the most part.

Georgia’s long history of corruption and public servants on the take so by default there is little faith in govt. doing things on the up and up prevents fervent support.

This is also why the Northern Arc was believed to be mostly for landowners to get rich.

California is one example of corrupt government with the high speed rail boondoggle that is not being delivered what was promised back in 2008. That said, it's not a Democrat or Republican issue. There's corruption on both sides.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by architect77

North Carolinians trust their state government for the most part.

Georgia’s long history of corruption and public servants on the take so by default there is little faith in govt. doing things on the up and up prevents fervent support.

This is also why the Northern Arc was believed to be mostly for landowners to get rich.

You may be looking at North Carolina through rose-colored glasses.

"The 2018 results will not come out until this fall, but according to the 2017 research compiled by the Institute for Corruption Studies at Illinois State University, North Carolina is (or, at least, is perceived as) one of the nation’s more corrupt states."

Full article...University researchers: North Carolina among the nation’s more politically corrupt states

[ATLTJL]

It gave us John Edwards!