Georgia lawmakers OK bill to unify Atlanta transit agencies

The Georgia General Assembly late last week passed a bill that would establish a regional governance and funding framework for Atlanta area transit systems.

Under the legislation, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and four other regional transit systems would operate under a new entity known as the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority, or The ATL.

The new agency would be charged with regional transit planning for 13 counties in metro Atlanta, according to a press release issued by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).

The five transit systems would operate under the unified ATL brand name by 2023.

The legislation also provides a new transit funding option by enabling counties to seek sales tax increases — of up to 1 percent for up to 30 years — to cover the costs of transit construction and operations.

"The passage of regional transit legislation is a major milestone for our region that will expand transportation options and better connect communities, improving quality of life for metro Atlanta residents," said Doug Hooker, ARC executive director.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has until May 8 to sign the legislation, radio station WABE reported.

Meanwhile, the 2019 Georgia state budget includes $100 million to fund transit projects statewide, marking the "most significant state investment in transit" in the state's history, according to the ARC.