Metro Magazine, January/February 2017

I feel like voters in 2012 viewed the plan as if it took a top down approach where some people were meeting in backrooms to decide for them what was best for the region explains Fred Hicks campaign manager for More MARTA a public outreach group that handled the grassroots education process for MARTA ballot measures in 2014 and 2016 People really just want to be heard if they are going to give us their money And we did that we listened and were able to incorporate things along the way this time and in 2014 I think that really made voters feel fairly confident about what we are trying to do In 2016 a measure to raise 25 billion for more MARTA service passed by an overwhelming 72 while a complementary referendum which will generate 300 million to fund Atlanta road improvements including completion of the Atlanta Beltline a former railway corridor that will link dozens of Atlanta neighborhoods was passed with 68 of the vote With the referenda and a 2015 infrastructure bond Atlanta is investing more than 3 billion in its transit and transportation infrastructure the largest investment in the citys history As a result 94 of Atlanta residents and 98 of the citys jobs will be within a half mile of a new transportation project In the short term MARTA will use the funds to expand bus services including bringing back some bus routes that had previously been discontinued A little further down the road the agency will focus on bringing light rail in to connect university students with the downtown Atlanta corridor essentially enabling residents to get from downtown to anywhere in the city In the long term the agency will provide some heavy rail options including in southwest Atlanta an area that was promised heavy rail 40 years ago when MARTA started but never received the promised investment On the enhancement side were looking at doing things like increasing the accessibility for people with disabilities which includes everything from increasing lighting to new and LEARNING FROM THE PAST Agency Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority MARTA Measure SB 369 T SPLOSTResult 72 28 Win 68 32 Win In 2012 the Metro Atlanta Transportation Referendum a large scale transportation ballot measure that asked voters in 10 counties to vote for a 1 sales tax over a 10 year period to fund 61 billion in regional projects including 32 billion for transit plus another 11 billion in local projects was soundly defeated In 2014 however Clayton County voters approved the first ever expansion of MARTA and in November not one but two measures were passed by voters to fund transportation projects 26 mETRO mAGAZINE JANUARY FEBRUARY 2017 metro magazine com BALLOT MEASURES Motorcoach Shuttle Bus VanEXPERT FINANCINGLooking to finance a motorcoach shuttle bus or van Look no further than 1st Source Bank Serving individuals and businesses of northern Indiana since 1863 we have become a national leader in the financing of specialty equipment Our experienced team will provide you outstanding service straight talk and sound advice Let us tailor a financing package that fits your needs Contact Amanda Lundmark Cell 815 953 3623Office 574 401 6111lundmarka 1stsource com Flexible financing options including lines of credit Simple application process for aggregate credit up to 350000 Industry experts who provide personal service that makes it easy to get things done National specialty finance leader for over 40 yearsSpecialty Finance Group 1stsource com shuttlebus 1stsource com motorcoach