Metro Atlanta commuters get ‘historic’ chance for transit

Plagued by some of the worst traffic in the U.S., for many folks in metro Atlanta sitting behind the wheel is just a fact of life. Now metro Atlanta’s population is booming in suburban and exurban counties like Paulding, Forsyth and Cherokee, according to census data. The city’s widening sprawl means longer drive times for those traveling throughout the city.  

Metro Atlanta voters have a historic opportunity to support transit choice by expanding access in two critical counties: 

• For Gwinnett County advocates, the third time is a charm to pass a referendum to expand reliable and low-cost transit options to hospitals, schools, and Atlanta’s airport.  
• In Cobb County, expanding transit could boost the region’s growing economy, funding reliable service to major corridors and entertainment hubs. Cobb County residents have not had the opportunity to vote in support of transit expansion since the late 1960s.  

“This is about giving people another option. Do I want to sit behind the wheel on a smoggy interstate, or relax, read the newspaper, and let someone else do the driving for me?” asked Brian Gist, a senior attorney specializing in transit in SELC’s Atlanta office. “These referenda are creative, forward looking, and make sense for metro Atlanta’s sprawling suburbs.”

Keep Cobb moving  

Cobb County mother and educator Kolt Bloxson-Pitts said a family’s income level, zip code, or access to a vehicle shouldn’t limit their opportunities.  

I am excited about the connectivity of it all. Helping communities come together, efficient travel practices countywide, and hopefully reduction of some really long traffic lines.

Kolt Bloxson-Pitts, mother and eductaor

The transit expansion in Cobb would be funded by a mobility special purpose local option sales tax, or MSPLOST, turning pennies into three decades of funding. Another benefit championed by residents is the opportunity to allow older adults to safely age in place with reliable bus and so-called “micro transit” on demand services available to take them to doctor’s appointments and church. The service also links to Atlanta’s MARTA heavy rail and bus service.  

“When communities come together, we all benefit. Keep Cobb Moving represents thousands of Cobb County residents,” said Kyle Gomez-Leineweber, director of public policy and advocacy at the GALEO Impact Fund.  SELC joined GALEO and other organizations in launching the Keep Cobb Moving campaign to mobilize voters to expand transit options in Cobb County. GALEO is hosting a town hall on October 24 at 6 PM at the Windy Hill Community Center to share more information on the MSPLOST with Cobb voters.   

“We’re excited to bring people together to build the future,” Gomez-Leineweber said. “Even adding this one penny sales tax, Cobb residents will still have one or the lowest tax burdens in the state.”  

Get Gwinnett Going  

On the other side of metro Atlanta, Gwinnett County residents will have a similar opportunity to vote for expanding transit. Adopting the 2024 Gwinnett Transit SPLOST will provide service to up to 70 percent of the jobs in the county and a direct shuttle connection to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The transit SPLOST has the full support of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, who launched the Get Gwinnett Going campaign to share details about the transit expansion plan with voters.  

The future is here. We can’t afford to pass up our chance to be a part of it again.

Ashna Khanna, Asian American Advocacy Fund

“Access to affordable public transportation is crucial for our communities to live and travel reliably,” said Ashna Khanna, deputy director of the Asian American Advocacy Fund. “It’s important for Gwinnett County voters to understand this one penny sales tax will turn into three decades of transit improvements.” 

The Asian American Advocacy Fund is hosting a transit event to educate Gwinnett voters Thursday Oct. 17 at 7pm at the Korean American Association of Greater Atlanta. 

“After decades of hesitancy, we have a bold opportunity to invest in a real transit system that makes sense for both Gwinnett and Cobb counties, Khanna said. “The future is here. We can’t afford to pass up our chance to be a part of it again.”