Politics

In lead up to T-SPLOST vote, Lawmakers Propose Transit Governance Alternative

March 6th, 2012

After an initial proposal was shelved due to disagreement, new legislation was proposed today to create an umbrella governing agency for metro Atlanta’s various transit systems.

The legislation arrives as transportation advocates begin a publicity campaign in support of July’s T-SPLOST referendum.

Unlike previous legislation, local elected officials – not state-appointees – would lead the governing agency. And MARTA would take a lead role in coordinating the various systems in the 10 county metro Atlanta region.

Democratic State Representative Pat Gardner of Atlanta is the bill’s author.

“It would be so helpful to have a structure that we already understood that would be controlled by local elected officials from the region that the money comes from,” said Gardner.

The bill also would lift the state requirement on MARTA’s spending. Currently the transit system must spend 50 percent of its revenue on capital projects and 50 percent on operations. It’s the only major transit agency in the country with such a requirement.

“We know it doesn’t make sense,” said Gardner. “If you’re not paying for MARTA, why should you have control over how it spends its money.”

With Crossover Day fast approaching, Gardner acknowledged the bill had little chance at make headway this session.

But in the lead-up to July’s transportation referendum, Gardner said it was important for intown Atlantans to know a dialogue is taking place between state and local officials.