Voters in Cobb and Gwinnett counties have rejected ballot measures to expand public transportation.
Both referendums proposed a 1% sales tax that would have been used to fund public transportation improvements in the counties.
The ballot measures were among several local measures in metro Atlanta that were decided by voters. Three statewide measures were also decided in the 2024 election.
Cobb County
Voters in Cobb did not approve a Mobility Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (MSPLOST), a proposal that would have added a 1% sales tax to fund transit projects in the county.
On the ballot measure, approximately 62% of voters voted “No.”
The revenue was planned to be used for extensive transportation development, including expanding bus rapid transit, adding bus lanes and transit centers, extending transit hours and establishing microtransit in the county.
“The conversation about our transit future will be ongoing, and we will continue working diligently to find solutions that meet the evolving needs of our community,” said Drew Raessler, the county’s transportation director, in a statement.
Commissioner Keli Gambrill opposed the measure, stating during an appearance on “Closer Look with Rose Scott” in October that the public would not utilize new public transit options.
“I’m opposed to running empty buses around,” Gambrill said on the show.
Gwinnett County
Voters in Gwinnett County also rejected a SPLOST referendum that proposed a 1% sales tax to fund transit projects. The county had up to 75 projects it wanted to pursue using the funds.
Among them was establishing two airport bus routes that would provide direct transportation to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Overall, 53% of voters voted “No” on the ballot measure.
Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson said in a statement that the Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Gwinnett’s transit plan before voters rejected it.
“Our county is growing, but our current transit system is limited,” Henderson said in the statement. “With more than a quarter million people projected to move to Gwinnett by 2050, we need solutions to ease congestion.”
Henderson said the transit plan will serve as a framework for future projects, and the county will continue looking for funding for transit expansion.
