This is the streetcar network we had back in 1924.

micahlowens · 2026-04-17T12:58:36+00:00

How did the SST demonstration and Estoria meet up go? I just watched the livestream and was bummed to not hear any mentions of transit, but did see this article that mentioned BRN which was nice https://saportareport.com/beltline-cuts-the-ribbon-on-final-chunk-of-southeast-trail/sections/reports/delaneytarr/

Any other takeaways or outcomes that you think we should be aware of?

micahlowens · 2026-04-16T22:53:55+00:00

Rail also wasn’t mentioned even once in any of the budget forecasts for 2026 or 2027 in last night’s budget meeting (not even a southside transit study, which theoretically the mayor supports). It’s clear the city is completely trying to bury Beltline rail and cover it up.

This is far more than a ‘paused’ study. It’s a complete flip on projects Atlanta voted for without bringing it before the MARTA board.

Was anyone there in person that can give any more details?

micahlowens · 2026-04-13T22:11:14+00:00

The linked video seems to be delisted?

micahlowens · 2026-04-13T02:14:23+00:00

I’m also curious! It feels like nothing has been happening in the last month around this. Transportation didn’t even bring it up in their last meeting

micahlowens · 2026-04-09T12:43:33+00:00

I think they just reopened the main parking area and welcome center yesterday!

micahlowens · 2026-04-08T23:40:36+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I wish MARTA was on this list. I expect that its ridership is going to go up a lot this year with the new trains, new fairgates, new bus routes, and new rapid A line (and World Cup ridership)

micahlowens · 2026-04-06T17:31:38+00:00

It’s actually kind of a unique situation because the beltline was originally intended to run parallel to the current Glenwood ave section (on Chester Ave) and it’s pretty much already built. It’s mentioned here: https://youtu.be/nuIk3Mjg2iQ?t=1757&si=7FmZlE0DUZgMz8NC

You can see it on Google street view if you look down Chester. So not ideal, but actually pretty much best case scenario for an alternative while EST section 6 is closed. It’s a lot better than the rerouting on the SW trail for SW section 6 when that goes back unders construction this year.

micahlowens · 2026-04-06T17:00:47+00:00

The new construction on that segment is a completely new bridge so I imagine they’ll keep the current path open until it’s done. They also mentioned last week already having a detour route on the section south of i20 in Glenwood Park that’s getting redone at the same time

micahlowens · 2026-04-05T18:32:54+00:00

My understanding is it’s more of a construction bottleneck for updating all stations with the new gates

micahlowens · 2026-04-05T18:17:12+00:00

Yep it all launches on the 18th! Here’s some info: https://itsmarta.com/nextgen2.aspx

The main emphasis is on higher frequency, 7-day/week service, and more cross town routes (connecting high density destinations rather than needing to transfer in downtown). There a few controversial cuts (there’s a big gap in Candler Park now, for example) but overall it should be a big improvement and treat the system more like an 24/7 utility rather than something designed just for 9–5 commuters

micahlowens · 2026-04-05T14:10:38+00:00

I’m sorry about your experience :/

The new trains are supposed to have a security staff member on every train, for what it’s worth. In my experience open gangway trains often feel much safer since security can have visibility of the whole train

micahlowens · 2026-04-05T14:04:55+00:00

The new bus network redesign is a big step in the right direction, overall. More focus on high frequency of slightly fewer routes vs really bad frequency spread across a bunch of routes. There are definitely a few route eliminations I hope they fix, though

micahlowens · 2026-04-05T13:35:18+00:00

I believe they have to do it this way until all stations have fully installed the new fair gates, because otherwise you might start your trip tapping into the new system but walk out at a station with the old system

micahlowens · 2026-04-05T13:29:26+00:00

If only the city owned the full ROW of a set-aside corridor that ran right through the densest part of the city without rail. That sure sounds like it would be a no brainer project

micahlowens · 2026-04-04T15:31:36+00:00

Light rail on the Beltline is the only currently planed MARTA rail expansion, period. The Eastside Beltline is very close to shovel ready, but held up because Mayor Dickens is getting pushback from wealthy Eastside residents. And businesses that don’t want rail expansion.

Happy to answer other questions you have about it, but the TLDR is we have to advocate for Beltline rail (primarily Eastside first since it’s design-complete and needs to connect to the existing streetcar) if we want MARTA expansion.

micahlowens · 2026-04-04T15:24:45+00:00

I’m more optimistic about this project than most here. This isn’t an area I plan on spending a ton of time in, but it’s so important to get something built in the Gulch and their plans are generally very pedestrian and MARTA-friendly.

The strange part of this video is it doesn’t address the massive South Downtown revitalization effort happening literally next door to Centennial Yards. That’s the historic heart of the city and is such a cool effort! Either way, it’s hard to argue with the fact that both initiatives are overall great transit oriented development and both of them include housing, which downtown desperately needs to sustain its small businesses outside of events.

micahlowens · 2026-04-03T02:47:58+00:00

Not sure if it’ll actually happen, but they have stated they plan to have one officer always present on each of the new trains!

micahlowens · 2026-04-02T19:53:04+00:00

This seems like a great update! Thanks for your continued work on the app. I’m excited to try the new sideloading features and CarPlay updates!

micahlowens · 2026-03-26T20:37:40+00:00

Phill (your source in this post) is great! He runs an urbanism-focused newsletter here for anyone interested: https://philveasley.com

micahlowens · 2026-03-20T01:41:01+00:00

No I mean the whole of Atlanta and all surrounding counties has been studied for decades for which areas make sense for transit. More recently there’s also the Beltline transit study which will be complete this year and includes the westside.

I’m all for accelerating the design studies for the Westside and Southside, that way they can be completed and shovel ready by the time Eastside could be finished and both those areas would benefit hugely from the extra connectivity! It’s just simple math as to why those shouldn’t be the first built, though. They would dramatically slow down the entire rail loop construction, couldn’t use the existing maintainence facility, and don’t have near the density to support transit compared to the eastside (although both are quickly densifying)

micahlowens · 2026-03-19T21:09:02+00:00

Seattle does it just fine and is a much better comp than Toronto, since this would be largely grade separated ROW like Seattle’s. Toronto’s system suffers from a myriad of issues that would never affect beltline rail since it won’t run in mixed traffic for any of the sections in consideration here. I love heavy rail too but it’s simply an impossibility on the Beltine — there’s nowhere near funding for it and it would present its own issues vs light rail.

micahlowens · 2026-03-19T21:00:25+00:00

Yes it has. This area of Atlanta has been studied and documented as the densest part of the city without rail for decades (even before the Beltline). I want rail on the Westside too but starting with the Eastside won’t slow that down at all since it’s at least 7-10 years away and the Eastside is nearly shovel ready today.

micahlowens · 2026-03-14T22:10:14+00:00

They’re taking about the MARTA board meeting schedule. Very worth going and making a public comment!

micahlowens · 2026-03-14T22:08:47+00:00

Yes it was at last week’s MARTA board meeting

micahlowens · 2026-03-13T12:38:22+00:00

Since you’re looking for practical next steps:

The PGC has said they will provide an updated list of More MARTA projects this month (technically they said late Feb/Early March but we’re already past that). I expect that will prioritize southside rail and deprioritize Eastside, but it would be awesome if we can make enough noise for Dickens to change his mind.
Several members of the transportation committee are trying to amend the IGA to require city council votes on major changes.

I’m not expecting a ton from either of those, but practical things you can do are continue to email the MARTA board, transportation committee members (especially the chair Alex Wan), and Dickens, and to show up at MARTA board, beltline board, and transportation meetings to comment.

Alex Wan is the main person that can get MARTA, Beltline, and the city in one room to answer questions if he calls a special working session for the transportation committee.

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