Georgia legislator to introduce bill to expand MARTA's rail system

Georgia State Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) next week will introduce legislation that could generate more than $8 billion to expand the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail system, local news media reported earlier this week.

The bill would establish a referendum that would let citizens vote on a 1-cent sales tax in Fulton and Dekalb counties.

Revenue from the sales tax could add three lines to the MARTA's existing rail system.

"The millennials and the young people are demanding it," Beach told the 11Alive news station. "Our peer cities that we compete with, Dallas and Charlotte, they're expanding transit. And we need to expand transit in order to get into the job centers."

If the bill passes, it would require approval of Fulton and DeKalb County boards of commissioners.