ATL Releases Impact Data from ATL Regional Transit Plan
ATL Releases Impact Data from ATL Regional Transit Plan
Project List Aims to Increase Access to Jobs and Transit Options in the Region
ATLANTA – At its November 7, 2019 Board meeting, Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) leadership released impact data on the ATL Regional Transit Plan (ARTP) for the 13-county region to the ATL Board of Directors. The release of the data included project performance and its ties to the ARTP’s governing principles and how the plan can have significant impact in the region. ATL leadership posted the draft ARTP on the website today. Draft Plan.
The cumulative 2019 ARTP investment package comprises 973 miles of transit expansion and 1,126 miles of transit enhancement. These investments identify improvements that target job access equity for citizens in the region.
Key potential gains identified in the draft ARTP that would move the needle on citizens having closer access to jobs and regional transit options are:
• An increase to 35% (or 420,000 in new jobs) where currently approximately17% of existing jobs in the 13-county ATL jurisdiction are within ½ mile of a high-capacity stop or station (light/heavy rail and bus rapid transit)
• An increase to 59% (representing over 100,000 new jobs) from the current 55% of existing jobs in the 13-county ATL jurisdiction within ½ mile of low-capacity transit (bus) stops
• An increase of 19% of low wage jobs within walking distance to high capacity transit stations (light/heavy rail and bus rapid transit)
• A 409% (394,000 households) increase for low income, minority, or zero-car households with walking access to high capacity transit (light/heavy rail and bus rapid transit)
• A 9% increase for low income, minority, or zero-car households with walking access to low capacity transit (bus)
“Close proximity to transit and transit-oriented development within communities can increase property values and intensify redevelopment,” stated Chris Tomlinson, Executive Director. “This has been directly demonstrated in communities around Midtown Atlanta and the Perimeter employment centers which benefit from proximity to rail.”
In addition to the release of the ARTP data, the board was briefed on the results of ATL’s community engagement efforts leading up to the plan. Over 200 citizens attended District Downloads facilitated by ATL staff and held in each of the 10 transit districts to download information about transit projects submitted for their ATL District.
As required by the ATL’s enabling legislation, Foursquare, ITP presented information on the upcoming ATL Annual Report and Audit. The report will focus on the economic and regional impact of transit and include data for the last five years on transit planning, investments, and operations from nine of the transit systems operating in the ATL’s 13-county region.
The next meeting of the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) Board of Directors is scheduled for December 13, 2019.
