The Neighborhood ‘Moonshot for Transit’

from Atlanta Intown - February 2019

by Rough Draft Atlanta: Atlanta Intown, Reporter Newspapers

THE MOST POWERFUL CANCER FIGHTING NETWORK IN GEORGIA

MARTA CEO calls for $100 billion investment in transit, technology

By Collin Kelley

MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker is encouraging a $100 billion investment he describes as a “moonshot for transit.” Parker made the remarks at the Jan. 11 State of MARTA Breakfast before a sold-out crowd of community, business, and civic leaders at the Loews Atlanta Hotel in Downtown.

Parker said the state of MARTA is healthy, financially stable and ready for expansion. Recognizing that service drives ridership, he promised a renewed commitment to customer service and expanding MARTA as a catalyst for economic growth, innovative approaches to mobility and community revitalization.

He challenged the crowd to rally behind a $100 billion investment in transit and technology over the next 40 years similar to the long-term capital plans in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C. He also compared the big dollar investment to the bold plans America had in the 1960s to send men to the moon and the innovation in space travel heralded by that 1969 landing.

“The greater Atlanta region is projected to grow in population by 50 percent over the next 30 years. That’s essentially adding Denver’s current population to the metro region,” Parker told the audience. “We have to make bold decisions now that include a landmark investment in our transit network to fund innovative solutions for our traffic woes and renew our commitment to future generations.”

Parker also outlined new initiatives MARTA is undertaking, including the creation of a rider advisory council, hiring a chief customer experience officer, launching a multi-year overhaul of all 38 MARTA stations and new career opportunities.

MARTA Board Chair Freda Hardage also reflected on MARTA’s years of service and the need for continued regional collaboration among metro leaders to keep the nation’s ninth largest transit system on track.

“It really takes our employees, business leaders, elected officials and our riders coming together to help make MARTA stronger,” Hardage said. “My predecessor Robbie Ashe did a yeoman’s job leading MARTA’s Board of Directors while working closely with all of our stakeholders and leadership across the state to advance regional mobility and accessibility. Today, we renewed our commitment to build upon that same dynamic zeal as we look to the next 40 years for MARTA.”

City Council approves regulations for dockless electric scooters

The Atlanta City Council approved new mandates at its Jan. 7 meeting to regulate the proliferation of electric scooters on city streets.

Under new rules approved by the council, scooters must be parked upright on sidewalks and allow pedestrians five feet of space. Companies that violate the policy could be fined $1,000 per day. Residents have complained about scooters blocking sidewalks, falling into streets and being stacked up in piles, but how this will be policed has yet to be determined.

But the biggest impact to users will be the ban on riding the scooters on sidewalks. According to the new rules, scooters can now only be operated in the street. There was no move to ban the scooters from the Atlanta BeltLine, where they are technically not allowed in the first place. Riders are also prohibited from holding their cell phone or other wireless device while using a scooter and only one rider per scooter is allowed.

Riders who do not have a smartphone or credit card must also be given access to renting a scooter using alternative payment measures and offer a discounted-price options for low-income individuals.

The regulations require the scooter companies – which include Bird, Lime, Uber and Lyft – to pay $12,000 per year for an operating permit, which allows for 500 scooters. Each additional scooter deployed by the companies will cost an extra $50.

The companies must also adhere to parking zones and no-parking zones established by the Department of City Planning Office of Zoning and Development; have a plan for educating users on proper parking, operations and other applicable laws; and encourage helmet usage, among other requirements. The city reserves the right to reduce the number of scooters under a company’s permit if their devices are consistently parked improperly. While most of the dockless scooters have a speed limit, the city set 15 miles per hour as the maximum speed allowed.