FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 5, 2014
Clayton County Says “Yes” to MARTA
On election night, Clayton County citizens voted overwhelming to join MARTA – by at least 74 percent according to the latest results – marking what will be the first jurisdictional expansion of the transit system since its inception more than 40 years ago.
“This is a historic moment for MARTA, Clayton County and the region,” said MARTA Board Chair Robert L. Ashe III. “On behalf of my fellow Board members, I want to thank the voters of Clayton County who have demonstrated their confidence in MARTA to deliver high-quality transit service to their community. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to prove once again that MARTA is well worth the public investment.”
Earlier this year, the Clayton County Commission voted to put the binding MARTA referendum on the November ballot. Many Clayton County residents had been clamoring to join MARTA after budget cuts forced the shutdown of the C-Tran bus system in 2010.
“Officially welcoming Clayton is an incredible anniversary present for MARTA as we continue to celebrate 35 years of combined bus and rail service in metro Atlanta,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith T. Parker. “Starting as soon as March 2015, MARTA will bring affordable, reliable transit customer-focused service to the citizens of Clayton County.”
Clayton County Commission Chairman Jeffrey E. Turner said his constituents recognized that MARTA was a key to unlocking economic growth and improving the quality of life for their community.
“Public transit is the critical link we need to bring quality job opportunities to the citizens of Clayton County. This is the catalyst to bring significant development to the south side of the region over the next few years.”
Collection of the 1 percent sales levy will begin in March 2015, as would three bus routes and complementary transit servicing Clayton County. MARTA will host public hearings on proposed transit services in the expanded service area.
In the coming weeks, MARTA will request that elected officials in its current service area – Fulton and DeKalb Counties and the City of Atlanta – vote to approve the 14th Amendment to the Rapid Transit Contract and Assistance Agreement to include Clayton County.
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners will appoint two representatives to the MARTA Board of Directors.
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Clayton County FAQ
Q. Will a portion of Clayton County’s tax revenues be placed in an escrow account for future rail service or a high-capacity transit option?
A. Yes. The binding contract between MARTA and Clayton County has a special provision that initially keeps those funds separate for that purpose.
Q. Is MARTA only going to put its older buses in Clayton County?
A. MARTA is now replacing the majority of its bus fleet. A mix of older and newer buses would be used across the service area, including Clayton County.
Q. Is Clayton County going to pay a higher fare than the current MARTA customers?
A. Everyone will pay the same fare to ride MARTA, no matter where they’re from.
Q. Will Clayton County have a voice on MARTA’s Board of Directors?
A. Yes. Clayton County will get two voting members on the MARTA Board, if the referendum passes. Clayton County Commissioners will appoint Board representatives who would start their terms in January 2015.
Q. Will citizens have a voice in the final Clayton County MARTA service?
A. Yes. By law, MARTA must have public hearings before adding or eliminating service or changing fares. MARTA will hold public hearings in Clayton County to get your input before the service plan is finalized.
Q. Will Clayton County ever have more than buses?
A. Yes. MARTA will continue to explore high-capacity transit options for Clayton County, including commuter rail or bus-rapid transit.
Q. When will Clayton County have bus service?
A. By March 2015, Clayton County will have limited bus service. New routes will continue to be added with full bus service available by July 2016.
Q. Will Clayton County citizens pay the MARTA penny forever?
A. As a full member of the transit system, Clayton County’s contract would run for 30 years, until 2044.
Clayton County MARTA Fact Sheet
Proposed Transit Service Map
The key to this whole thing, folks, is that while it appears that Clayton County will get a network of bus routes right away, the map in the link above depicts a "high capacity transit line" by the year 2022. One would take that to mean a heavy rail extension, or spur, off the existing MARTA North-South line at East Point. While it would result in fewer trains going to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the branch off into Clayton County would be a logical solution to having the Red and Gold Lines interlined through their entire southern portions. Now one of those routes would continue to the airport, while the other would serve the new route. The question is, can they get a heavy rail line up and running in 7 years?
And also, how does this development affect the long stalled plans to bring commuter rail to Lovejoy? Now Lovejoy ends up being the southern end of an expanded rail rapid transit line, so would commuter rail really be needed?
