We have major traffic congestion problems in metropolitan Atlanta. Unfortunately, less than 50 percent of the proposed projects funded by the TSPLOST directly addresses roads.
More than 50 percent of the TSPLOST funding is directed to mass transit, including MARTA, which has reflected reduced ridership, high subsidy costs and annual losses since 2002. On top of this, another $600 million is added to TSPLOST for a new trolley system, which does nothing to relieve road congestion.
Let’s take a look at the facts regarding MARTA which came from their “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, year ended June 30, 2010”. (Editor's Note: See attached PDF)
MARTA FACT SHEET
TSPLOST allocates approximately $2.5 billion for MARTA Rail and Bus Systems of which approximately $1.1 billion is for current operation and maintenance, upgrading various systems, rehabilitation of infrastructure and various improvements. This is a bailout of all of their deferred maintenance.
MARTA’s long-range plan provided for the planning, construction, financing, and operation of a rapid transit system in multiple phases, consisting of approximately 60 miles of double track and 45 stations, of which 47.6 miles and 38 stations were in service June 30, 2010. The additional 13 plus miles of track and seven stations will be financed by federal money and through sales and use tax revenues, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds and investment income.
MARTA Ridership Between 2006 and 2010: While population served across Atlanta’s 10 counties increased 20 percent since 2002, MARTA ridership declined for rail and bus, six percent and 17 percent respectively.
The MARTA System:
The rail system consists of 47.6 miles of operational double track and 38 fully functioning stations. The rail transit system consists of 318 air-conditioned vehicles.
Bus system consists of 582 diesel and compressed natural gas buses and 15 small buses; a heavy maintenance facility and four operating garages; several park-and-ride lots and an extensive system of patron bus shelters and stops. MARTA operates 131 different bus routes.
User Charges for MARTA Rail and Bus Transit System:
User charges are intended to finance only a portion of the cost of providing services.
An existing 1 percent sales tax is in place until June 30, 2047 after which it will be reduced to .5 percent. Funds go to support transit.
The MARTA Act provides that up to 50 percent of the sales tax collections in a fiscal year can be used to subsidize the operating expenses of the system. Transit related revenues for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 were 61 percent and 60 percent, respectively, of operating costs.
A 25-cent base fare increase and $1 parking fee hike went into effect on October 1, 2009. This was the first time MARTA had raised its fares in eight years.
MARTA’s Finances:
The approved 2010 Budget was $787.5 million with $399 million allocated to operating expenses and $388.5 million allocated to the capital improvement program and debt service expenses.
Debt included a total of $1,647,575,000 bonds outstanding and issued under three debt indentures. They also had $225,000,000 in commercial paper. In the past, debt service was limited to 45 percent of the corresponding year’s estimated sales tax receipts but this limit was lifted.
The fiscal Shortfall at the outset of the FY 2010-12 a total multi-year (2009-2012) financial shortfall of $441.5 million was forecasted in the 2010 Report. The previous two years losses were between $500-$510 million each year
Do we really want more of this?
Georgia, we can do better than this.
(Editor's Note: .)
To answer your question : Do we really want more of this? My answer is YES, YES, YES. Mass transit contributes greatly to relieving traffic problems in Metro Atlanta. Currently MARTA is the only mass transit system in a greater Metro are in the USA that receives ZERO financing from the state within which it operates. Yet, the state legislature has the power and uses it to determine how MARTA'S revenues are spent. The terrible traffic congestion has many factors but a key one is that the counties refused to cooperate with Fulton and DeKalb when Marta was starting its expansion into rail in the 70's. Snobbism, racism, fear all played into those decisions. And now the entire Metro area is paying the price. While the rest of the world hurls into the 21st century with mass transit, high speed rail and other creative alternatives to the individual in a car, Georgia and Metro Atlanta's opponents seemed to determined to keep us stuck in the 20th or maybe they would even prefer the 19th century? By definition "transportation" means " moving across" , it is not specifically a definition for cars. You must plan now for the future generations who according to the most recent surveys do not see themselves mowing suburban lawns or owning cars. Embrace change or risk irrelevance.
Unfortunately you seem to be leaping over the hard facts. In an area that has the low density of the Atlanta metro area, transit does nothing to relieve congestion. MARTA ridership has declined continuously, and is less than 5% of the corriders it serves. For most of the region, transit is not an effective option. It is the most expensive solution. It is the most emission-expensive solution. It serves the smallest percentage of people. We should focus on real solutions to making our roadways more usable.
Mr. Lowry didn't say that we shouldn't improve our transportation infrastructure. You don't address Mr. Lowry's concerns at all. In fact you totally ignored him. I for one would love to ride a train into downtown or to the airport from my northern suburban home. Here's the problem. You and our government (regardless of party affiliation no less) keep ignoring the problems. MARTA currently operates poorly across the board. Many of the proposed new funds go to an already inept governing agency. Why do you believe that more money will change the inept governance or improve our commute. It baffles me when people believe that throwing good money after bad is a good thing. Fix what is currently broken before asking for more money. Any investor or manager knows that adding more money and resources will actually make the situation worse, not better. The current MARTA needs overhauled. It is unwise and rather foolish to trust someone who is known to fail with more opportunity to continue to fail. You wouldn't do it for your own household. Good management would remove the bad elements. Fix what is broken, and then ask for more money and resources for the proven system. The current proposal will actually take more money off the table and leave us with no traffic relief, take the current MARTA and 400 as examples. Vote NO, NO, NO until our elected officials take managing our money seriously and with efficiency.
Interesting, that the "well travelled, well educated people" of Metro brag about how they use mass transit "the metro", " the Tube", the "Sbahn" when they are travelling abroad but when they return they return to their cocoon mentality and get back in their cars. Time for an attitude adjustment or the Metro area will die of axphxiation from it's own exhaust fumes. I just wish I owned the company that makes the orange barrels that are omnipresent. That is the real waste of money...$80.00 per barrel at last count.
Quick question: Have any of you ever used Marta connecting bus to train or the reverse? And I don't mean to a Braves game. And done it consistently to continue your daily living. All of your numbers seem to have forgotten the human element who actually use Marta.
The issue remains incompetence and a media that doesn't seem capable of anything close to journalism. The newest grandiose claim sounds just like the last one, yet where are the journalists holding both Republican and Democrats to task. Where's the outrage at not having a clear cut program that we the voters and the media can follow and get a hang of? I've seen other states/municipalities give precise game plans to include exits and expected usage due to known factors. This project is a "build it and they will come" plan. Why does our governing authorities make it so difficult? There are so many places in the proposal for corruption, kick-backs and personal financial advancement for officials involved with the project. As mentioned in the article, there is a large and looming debt crisis that needs resolved by the current MARTA that there is a good possibility that this TSPLOST is simply a chance to cover current officials mistakes and cronyism. It just feels like this will be another tax that solves nothing. We're not even talking about a rail system to follow 75/85 like 400 has. Carry a rail system from north through downtown and onto the airport as the backbone with ribs connecting the rest. Wouldn't that be the first thing you'd do?
You've got my problem with the current proposal. See how cheaply and easily I can solve problems, yet our current officials are inept for reasons you mentioned.
Yes, I understand that the rest of Metro Atlanta should have pitched in and joined MARTA years ago (which is part of the reason why we have this hellish traffic now), but real problem is the greed and corruption of MARTA itself. And now the state wants to create a plan to address an issue that been in existence for over 20 years?? These incompetent board members are the same ones that implemented the plan to convert Gwinnett's HOV lanes into a "HOT" lanes. Absolutely stupid idea!!! Are you kidding me??? I guess the rest of Metro Atlanta has finally realized that more roads cannot be the only solution to stop traffic here in Atlanta. Wow!! Say HELL NO to this T-SPLOST plan.
Three major interstate flow through metro-Atlanta and they contribute greatly to our congestion. Individuals from all over the country travel through our city daily on the way to some destination. Businesses in Savannah, Macon, Columbus, and south Georgia transport goods through Atlanta. However, neither the traveling public nor the businesses traveling through metro-Atlanta will contribute (or contribute much) to our roadway improvements. Just us...the citizens of the Atlanta region. And while we're paying the additional 1% sales tax, how much gas tax money are we sending to south, east and west Georgia? How much money have we already sent to them? The last I checked, they have ample infrastructure and aren't voting on their own T-Splost...thanks to us! Our legislature likes to divide the citizens of the state. They like to pit one group against another. They like to say "this is your problem, the solution is up to you". However, traffic congestion is Georgia's problem and all Georgians should pay to solve it. In my opinion, the state should increase the income tax rates by 1/2%. That'll solve the problem! Everyone Benefits...Everyone Pays.
I am well aware of the density of European cities and how they arrived at their composition. I have travelled to 80 countries in the last 35 years. You are right low density of Atlanta. And while that had appeal in years past, I think it would be enlightening for you to check out the recent surveys done of the future workers and home buyers that we are actually paving the way for in this city. They don't want sprawl, lawns, or even cars in many cases. As for your comment about dominating the conversation, last time I checked this was an open forum. You started the conversation and the rest of us have continued it. Enjoy your weekend. You can probably wash your car.