On election night, Clayton County citizens voted overwhelming to join MARTA – by at least 74 percent according to the latest results – marking what will be the first jurisdictional expansion of the transit system since its inception more than 40 years ago.
“This is a historic moment for MARTA, Clayton County and the region,” said MARTA Board Chair Robert L. Ashe III. “On behalf of my fellow Board members, I want to thank the voters of Clayton County who have demonstrated their confidence in MARTA to deliver high-quality transit service to their community. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to prove once again that MARTA is well worth the public investment.”
Earlier this year, the Clayton County Commission voted to put the binding MARTA referendum on the November ballot. Many Clayton County residents had been clamoring to join MARTA after budget cuts forced the shutdown of the C-Tran bus system in 2010.
“Officially welcoming Clayton is an incredible anniversary present for MARTA as we continue to celebrate 35 years of combined bus and rail service in metro Atlanta,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith T. Parker. “Starting as soon as March 2015, MARTA will bring affordable, reliable transit customer-focused service to the citizens of Clayton County.”
Clayton County Commission Chairman Jeffrey E. Turner said his constituents recognized that MARTA was a key to unlocking economic growth and improving the quality of life for their community.
“Public transit is the critical link we need to bring quality job opportunities to the citizens of Clayton County. This is the catalyst to bring significant development to the south side of the region over the next few years.”
Collection of the 1 percent sales levy will begin in March 2015, as would three bus routes and complementary transit servicing Clayton County. MARTA will host public hearings on proposed transit services in the expanded service area.
In the coming weeks, MARTA will request that elected officials in its current service area – Fulton and DeKalb Counties and the city of Atlanta – vote to approve the 14th Amendment to the Rapid Transit Contract and Assistance Agreement to include Clayton County.
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners will appoint two representatives to the MARTA Board of Directors.
