Georgia Rail Passenger Program
Encyclopedia
The Georgia Rail Passenger Program (GRPP) is a set of plans, as yet unbuilt, for intercity and commuter rail in the U.S. state of Georgia
.
, Georgia State University
, Emory University
, Georgia Gwinnett College, and the University of Georgia
. Furthermore, the commuter rail will link the Centers for Disease Control, the new Paul D. Coverdell Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, as well as the emerging BioScience Corridor along Georgia State Route 316
.
The route is estimated to divert 1.8 million drivers from the highways by 2025. As many as 8,000 individuals or more could conceivably use the system every day, and it could remove 5,300 cars daily from already overtaxed roadways during peak travel times. Also, previous studies have indicated that commuter rail is 25 times safer than driving.
The Georgia Brain Train Group is a non-profit organization with the goal to educate the general public about the opportunities surrounding commuter rail. The group is made of community activists, business leaders, and professionals from every county and city along the proposed route. The group is led by self-described entrepreneur, re-developer, and former Georgia state representative
Emory Morsberger of the Morsberger Group. Morsberger projects have previously included the revitalization of downtown Lawrenceville.
As currently proposed, the route will cost $383 million dollars as determined by a 2005 estimate. This price projection includes construction, rail stations, and rail cars. While tickets sales alone will not fully fund the $5 million dollars in operating costs, it is important to note that no mass transit system in the United States operates without some form of government subsidies
. Transit advocates often interpret transit subsidization as parallel to road building, which is typically totally subsidized, although ongoing operating costs may be lower.
Commission had offered to fund much of the operating costs of the line, over $106 million in funding was available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and environmental assessment had been completed.
(GDOT) from spending any funds on commuter rail without direct approval from the General Assembly
. Rail advocates saw that as a last-minute sabotage of the program, as the General Assembly only meets for 40 days once a year. In addition, the Clayton County
Commission in January 2007 withdrew its commitment to fund the operating costs of the line.
In January 2008, a delegation of GDOT members visited Philadelphia, and Chicago
to see how commuter rail systems in each city was implemented. They also visited the LYNX
light rail
line in Charlotte
.
In early June, that delegation passed a mostly symbolic resolution urging state leaders to pass a transit policy.
In June 2008, under intense pressure from businesses and Atlanta residents along with other politicians, Governor Sonny Perdue
backed the Lovejoy line and said he wants it to be pursued aggressively. This may have been partially spurred by a visit the Governor previously had to rep. David Scott's office. David Scott warned that the deadline for acting on the federal dollars runs out soon.
through Marietta, Smyrna, Cumberland
, Vinings, and then the Bolton district of Atlanta, the Bankhead "West midtown" district of Atlanta (near Georgia Tech), then connect into either midtown via Atlantic Station
or continue to Five Points
, or both. Outside the city limits of Atlanta along this route, city populations total over 200,000 people if the high-density Cumberland
district of Cobb County is included. Additionally, outlying areas would bring even more commuters.
A funding mechanism has been found for build up to Marietta from Atlanta by using future years' revenue from CSX to pay back the initial costs of a quick build-out. http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/041408/opinion_2008041400149.shtml
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
Commuter Routes
Seven commuter routes were proposed to serve the Atlanta suburbs and nearby cities.Athens to Atlanta ("Brain Train")
The Athens route will connect nine of Georgia's colleges and universities, including Georgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
, Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
, Georgia Gwinnett College, and the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. Furthermore, the commuter rail will link the Centers for Disease Control, the new Paul D. Coverdell Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, as well as the emerging BioScience Corridor along Georgia State Route 316
Georgia State Route 316
State Route 316 links Metro Atlanta with Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia. The state route is in length. Georgia 316 begins at I-85 exit 106, near Lawrenceville, passing through Bethlehem, Georgia and Statham, Georgia and ending at SR 10 Loop near Athens...
.
The route is estimated to divert 1.8 million drivers from the highways by 2025. As many as 8,000 individuals or more could conceivably use the system every day, and it could remove 5,300 cars daily from already overtaxed roadways during peak travel times. Also, previous studies have indicated that commuter rail is 25 times safer than driving.
The Georgia Brain Train Group is a non-profit organization with the goal to educate the general public about the opportunities surrounding commuter rail. The group is made of community activists, business leaders, and professionals from every county and city along the proposed route. The group is led by self-described entrepreneur, re-developer, and former Georgia state representative
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
Emory Morsberger of the Morsberger Group. Morsberger projects have previously included the revitalization of downtown Lawrenceville.
As currently proposed, the route will cost $383 million dollars as determined by a 2005 estimate. This price projection includes construction, rail stations, and rail cars. While tickets sales alone will not fully fund the $5 million dollars in operating costs, it is important to note that no mass transit system in the United States operates without some form of government subsidies
Subsidy
A subsidy is an assistance paid to a business or economic sector. Most subsidies are made by the government to producers or distributors in an industry to prevent the decline of that industry or an increase in the prices of its products or simply to encourage it to hire more labor A subsidy (also...
. Transit advocates often interpret transit subsidization as parallel to road building, which is typically totally subsidized, although ongoing operating costs may be lower.
Atlanta to Lovejoy and Macon
The Atlanta to Macon route was, as of 2006, seen as the first line ready for implementation, primarily because the railroad owner, Norfolk Southern had shown more interest than had CSX, the owner of the Athens line. In addition, the Clayton CountyClayton County, Georgia
Clayton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 236,517. The 2008 Census estimate placed the population at 273,718. The county seat is Jonesboro...
Commission had offered to fund much of the operating costs of the line, over $106 million in funding was available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and environmental assessment had been completed.
Funding Delays
However, in April 2006, a line was slipped into the state budget forbidding the Georgia Department of TransportationGeorgia Department of Transportation
The Georgia Department of Transportation is the organization in charge of developing and maintaining all state and federal roadways in the U.S. state of Georgia. In addition to highways, the department also has a limited role in developing public transportation and general aviation programs...
(GDOT) from spending any funds on commuter rail without direct approval from the General Assembly
Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
. Rail advocates saw that as a last-minute sabotage of the program, as the General Assembly only meets for 40 days once a year. In addition, the Clayton County
Clayton County, Georgia
Clayton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 236,517. The 2008 Census estimate placed the population at 273,718. The county seat is Jonesboro...
Commission in January 2007 withdrew its commitment to fund the operating costs of the line.
Revived Interest in 2008
There has been revived interest in the Lovejoy line in 2008 and the governor backed it in June.In January 2008, a delegation of GDOT members visited Philadelphia, and Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
to see how commuter rail systems in each city was implemented. They also visited the LYNX
LYNX Rapid Transit Services
Lynx Rapid Transit Services comprises a light rail line serviced by the Charlotte Area Transit System in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
line in Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
.
In early June, that delegation passed a mostly symbolic resolution urging state leaders to pass a transit policy.
In June 2008, under intense pressure from businesses and Atlanta residents along with other politicians, Governor Sonny Perdue
Sonny Perdue
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, was the 81st Governor of Georgia. Upon his inauguration in January 2003, he became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin F. Conley served during Reconstruction in the 1870s....
backed the Lovejoy line and said he wants it to be pursued aggressively. This may have been partially spurred by a visit the Governor previously had to rep. David Scott's office. David Scott warned that the deadline for acting on the federal dollars runs out soon.
Canton to Atlanta
This line of rail will run from Canton and connect into the Western & Atlantic line that runs from Atlanta to Acworth, then continue along the Western and Atlantic RailroadWestern and Atlantic Railroad
The Western and Atlantic Railroad of the State of Georgia' is a historic railroad that operated in the southeastern United States from Atlanta, Georgia to Chattanooga, Tennessee....
through Marietta, Smyrna, Cumberland
Cumberland (Atlanta)
Cumberland is a neighborhood and edge city in metro Atlanta, Georgia, United States. with approximately 122,000 workers and 103,000 residents. It is a major hub for business, convention, and retail in the region. Cumberland is situated ten miles northwest of downtown Atlanta at the junction of...
, Vinings, and then the Bolton district of Atlanta, the Bankhead "West midtown" district of Atlanta (near Georgia Tech), then connect into either midtown via Atlantic Station
Atlantic Station
Atlantic Station is a large brownfield redevelopment project at the northwestern edge of Midtown Atlanta, Georgia. Atlantic Station is being master developed by AIG Global Real Estate and local development partner Jacoby Development, Inc...
or continue to Five Points
Five Points (Atlanta)
Five Points is a district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States, the primary reference for the downtown area. The name refers to the convergence of Marietta Street, Edgewood Avenue, Decatur Street, and two legs of Peachtree Street Five Points is a district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States, the...
, or both. Outside the city limits of Atlanta along this route, city populations total over 200,000 people if the high-density Cumberland
Cumberland (Atlanta)
Cumberland is a neighborhood and edge city in metro Atlanta, Georgia, United States. with approximately 122,000 workers and 103,000 residents. It is a major hub for business, convention, and retail in the region. Cumberland is situated ten miles northwest of downtown Atlanta at the junction of...
district of Cobb County is included. Additionally, outlying areas would bring even more commuters.
A funding mechanism has been found for build up to Marietta from Atlanta by using future years' revenue from CSX to pay back the initial costs of a quick build-out. http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/041408/opinion_2008041400149.shtml
Intercity Routes
Routes proposed for intercity transportation include:- Atlanta to MaconMacon, GeorgiaMacon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
- Macon to SavannahSavannah, GeorgiaSavannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
- Macon to JesupJesup, GeorgiaJesup is a city in Wayne County, Georgia, United States. The population was 9,279 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Wayne County.-Geography:Jesup is located at ....
- Macon to AlbanyAlbany, GeorgiaAlbany is a city in and the county seat of Dougherty County, Georgia, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. It is the principal city of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area and the southwest part of the state. The population was 77,434 at the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the...
- Savannah to Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville, FloridaJacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
- Atlanta to AugustaAugusta, GeorgiaAugusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
- Atlanta to Greenville, South CarolinaGreenville, South Carolina-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
- GriffinGriffin, GeorgiaGriffin is a city in and the county seat of Spalding County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 23,643.-Geography:Griffin is located at ....
to ColumbusColumbus, GeorgiaColumbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
External links
- Georgia Association of Railroad Passengers
- Georgia Brain Train Group
- Sierra Club Atlanta Building Environmental Community program - a prominent advocate for commuter rail
- http://www.dot.state.ga.us/travelingingeorgia/rail/Documents/CommuterRailMap.pdf/Proposed Rail Map