New personal rapid transit pods to pilot at Atlanta airport
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will see the pilot of a new automated transit network of personal rapid transit pods from California-based company Glydways.
The pods are a result of a 2019 feasibility study conducted by ATL Airport Community Improvement Districts (AACIDs), which uses private taxes from businesses within the district to improve public services and facilities. The study found several areas south of the metro where there were transit and connectivity gaps.
Krystal Harris is the program director for AACIDs. Harris believes that the pilot program is another option for extending transit.
“There is not a one-fix solution,” Harris said. “The busses, they’re needed, but they’re limited. The trains, we know we can’t expand the rail. It’s expensive.”
“We’ve got to take a multi-pronged approach to make sure that transit is accessible to everyone as far as we can get it,” Harris added.
The pilot will set up shop near the Georgia International Convention Center. The pods will transport riders to the various access points around Atlanta Airport including the Skytrain Station.
Glydways and MARTA will split the cost of the $20-million effort. The goal will be to see how well the automated transit network works to, eventually, bridge the transit gaps.
Katie Marticke is the program director for Shift, a commuting services program for areas around the airport. She said the pilot program could be beneficial to blue-collar workers.
“Folks working in South Metro are essential workers — folks that support warehousing, logistics, transportation,” Marticke said. “They’re traveling a lot longer to get to work because of lack of access to personal vehicles, lack of access to transit.”
The personal rapid transit pod pilot is already underway. Construction for the program’s expansion is set for 2026 with a project completion by 2030.
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