{"id":24895,"date":"2016-10-31T18:10:35","date_gmt":"2016-10-31T18:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress-367309-1145710.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=24895"},"modified":"2016-10-31T18:10:35","modified_gmt":"2016-10-31T18:10:35","slug":"marta-modernizing-transit-fleets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikocity.com\/marta-modernizing-transit-fleets\/","title":{"rendered":"MARTA Modernizing Transit Fleets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Via CleanTechnica<\/a>:<\/p>\n

There’s good news on the transit front\u00a0from Atlanta. Atlanta, long infamous for its car-oriented development,\u00a0is now focused forward with an eye toward sustainable redevelopment.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0MARTA<\/a>\u00a0initiative has been focused on\u00a0modernizing transit fleets.\u00a0Atlanta travelers will enjoy one of the newest fleets nationwide — after using\u00a0some of the oldest in the country for years. Boosting ridership enhances urban development, and Atlanta is hoping that is the effect it will see. But that isn’t the only approach MARTA is taking to achieve its goals.<\/p>\n

\"Atlanta<\/a><\/p>\n

MyAJC.com<\/em><\/a> reports that this is actually a two-fold effort. The other part\u00a0is\u00a0a series of “new\u00a0generation developments” at MARTA’s stations (Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority). Attractive transit centers and developments directly around transit centers attract riders, and good ridership increases\u00a0dense urban developments, which then again contribute more ridership.<\/p>\n

“MARTA CEO Keith Parker said Spoke, the $40 million privately-funded mixed-use development at the Edgewood\/Candler Park station, reflects the system\u2019s re-invention and commitment to better service. Atlanta-based development firm Columbia Ventures will lease underused parking lots at the station and develop a mix of 224 apartments, retail, restaurants, a park and a performing arts center.”<\/p>\n

This is just one development of a program focused on transit-oriented development (TOD) that brings in private investment and presumably much more revenue.<\/p>\n

Atlanta citizens can consider the positive connectivity and vote for it\u00a0on November 8\u00a0via a referendum. Back in June<\/a>, a local media outlet\u00a0wrote, “The Atlanta City Council on Monday unanimously voted to schedule a referendum in November to decide whether to hike city\u2019s sales tax by a half-penny to generate $2.5 billion over the next four decades for a MARTA expansion and other transit upgrades.”<\/p>\n

Key points to consider:<\/p>\n