Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) to Hold 
Board of Directors Meeting Scheduled for October 6, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority announces that it will hold its Board Meeting on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Marquis One, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303.

To view the Board agendas and options to connect remotely, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/the-atl-board/.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Governor Kemp, Lt. Governor Duncan, and Speaker Ralston make appointments to the ATL Board

Governor reappoints Charlie Sutlive to serve as Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority Board Chairman

On September 15, 2022, Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, and House Speaker David Ralston announced appointments to the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) Board. Governor Kemp reappointed Mr. Charlie Sutlive to serve as the Board Chairman, effective immediately. Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan reappointed Mr. Teddy Russell and appointed Mr. Dan Buyers who will fill the seat vacated by Mr. Mark Toro when his term expired on September 14,2022. Both appointments are effective immediately. Speaker Ralston reappointed Ms. Charlotte J. Nash, effective immediately. Mr. Earl Ehrhart, whose term expires January 2023, continues to serve as an appointee of the Speaker.

“As more and more people choose to live in the best state to call home, work, and raise a family, the importance of a reliable, efficient transit system also continues to grow,” said Governor Kemp. “That’s why I’m glad Chairman Sutlive and the rest of the ATL will continue their work on creating a mobility network worthy of a well-connected metro region that is able to meet the challenges and opportunities of its expanding population.”

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system.

“A robust transportation and logistics infrastructure is essential in order to continue to drive economic development, both in the metro Atlanta region and state-wide,” said Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. “These appointees to the ATL Board are well-equipped to tackle not just the transportation issues of today, but those our state will be faced with in years to come. I have full faith that the ATL Board will continue to leverage Georgia’s strategic assets in order to develop comprehensive strategies to secure our reputation as the best state in which to do business for years to come.”

The ATL is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors, consisting of members elected by state legislators and local government leaders to represent each of the region’s ten ATL Transit Districts, appointed members, and one non-voting member.

“Our cooperative, collaborative approach to transit planning is key to both quality of life and economic development in and around Metropolitan Atlanta going forward,” said Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge). “As more businesses and workers demand access to safe, convenient transit solutions, our investments in this critical infrastructure will reap dividends for generations to come. I applaud the members of the ATL Board on their work thus far and look forward to more success in the future.”

Charlie Sutlive, Chairman, Governor Brian Kemp Appointee

Charlie Sutlive is the vice president of corporate communication at Georgia Power. In this role, he is responsible for leading Georgia Power’s overall communication efforts with internal and external stakeholders, including advertising, creative and production services, electronic communications, employee communications, media relations and social media efforts. Prior to joining Georgia Power in 2018 as director of corporate communications, he served as the vice chancellor for communications and governmental affairs for the University System of Georgia (USG) where he led the development and execution of communications, public affairs and economic development plans for USG’s 26 colleges and universities. He has held multiple leadership positions for some of the largest and most recognizable companies in the world, including MCI, which is now part of Verizon Communications, McKesson, and Coca-Cola North America. Sutlive currently serves on the REACH Georgia Foundation board and the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication Alumni Board. He is also a graduate of and previously served on the board for Leadership Georgia. Sutlive earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Georgia.

Teddy Russell, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan Appointee

Teddy Russell is the owner and CEO of Russell Landscape, a family business which his father, Bill Russell, started in 1987.  He professionally joined Russell Landscape in 2002 shortly after graduating from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business. Under Teddy’s leadership, Russell Landscape has over 500 employees with ten locations that cover four states.   A hallmark of Teddy’s leadership and the company is the importance of employee and community engagement.  He is also involved in many professional and philanthropic efforts including the PruittCares Foundation, the Gwinnett Boys & Girls Club Board, the Community of NE GA Foundation, the Executive board of Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and is the Chairman for the University System of GA Foundation and National Association of Landscape Professional Foundation.   Teddy and his wife Courtney have three children.

Dan Buyers, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan Appointee

Dan Buyers joined McWhirter Realty Partners in 1994 and became a Partner in 2016. He specializes in land sales, site selection and office/medical office brokerage. Dan is an active member of the community and the commercial real estate industry, serving on multiple boards including the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority (Vice-Chair), the Town Center Community Improvement District (Vice Chair), the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS®, the Cobb Community Foundation, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, the Council for Quality Growth, and the Wellstar Foundation. Dan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate from the University of Georgia.

Charlotte Nash, Speaker David Ralston Appointee

Charlotte J. Nash’s career with Gwinnett County spans almost four decades, first as a staff member and then as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. She has been active in multiple civic and governmental organizations at the local, regional, and state level. Her roles have included board member for the Atlanta Regional Commission, board chair for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, and President of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). She currently serves on the board for the ATL, the regional transit authority, as an appointee of Georgia House Speaker David Ralston. She was recognized by Georgia Trend magazine in 2020 as a Georgia Legacy Leader based on lifetime contributions to the State. Charlotte is a lifelong resident of the Dacula/Harbins area of Gwinnett County and holds a BBA from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Michael, have two children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) to Hold 
Committee Meetings and Specially Called Board of Directors Meeting Scheduled for September 1, 2022

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority announces that it will hold its Board Committee Meetings and its Specially Called Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, September 1, 2022, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Marquis One, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303.

The Xpress Operations Committee Meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m., and each subsequent committee meeting will begin as the previous meeting ends.

The Specially Called ATL Board of Directors Meeting will begin at 10 a.m. or immediately following the Regional Transit Planning Committee meeting should that meeting extend beyond 10 am.

To view the Committee and Board agendas and options to connect remotely, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/the-atl-board/.

Meeting Schedule:

Xpress Operations Committee

Administrative Committee

Regional Technology Committee

Regional Transit Planning Committee

Specially Called ATL Board of Directors Meeting

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority announces that it will hold its Board Meeting on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Marquis One, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303.

To view the Board agenda and options to connect remotely, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/the-atl-board/.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority announces that it will hold its Board Meeting on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Marquis One, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303.

To view the Board agenda and options to connect remotely, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/the-atl-board/.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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ATLANTA – The Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) is among fifty recipients selected to receive funds from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) $25 million Route Planning Restoration Program under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The ATL will be awarded $250,000 to fund its efforts to enhance Xpress transit ridership. Like many transit operators in the metropolitan Atlanta region, Xpress saw ridership decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding from the FTA’s Route Planning Restoration Program can be used for transit route planning designed to increase ridership, reduce travel times, and make service adjustments to increase the quality or frequency of transit service for low-income riders and disadvantaged neighborhoods or communities.

At the ATL’s June 2nd Xpress Operations Committee meeting, Dr. Jamie Fischer, Director of Transportation Performance, and Innovation reported that during the pandemic, Xpress experienced a dramatic decline in ridership similar to all transit operators in the metro Atlanta region. The ATL has instituted several initiatives aimed at increasing ridership since the pandemic which included enhanced safety measures on Xpress coaches, suspending fares, implementing a contactless mobile payment option, and most recently offering a 50% fare discount incentive from June through July available on its contactless mobile app, Token Transit.

Dr. Fischer advised the Board that while Xpress has seen a clear increase in ridership and the numbers are steadily rising, they are still hovering around 25% of pre-pandemic levels. The grant that the ATL has received is both timely and needed to support the ATL’s efforts in exploring how to further enhance ridership within the Xpress system.

In its application for the Route Planning Restoration Program, the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority focused on the need to develop a “Return to Ridership” plan for ATL’s Xpress commuter bus service that would focus on growing ridership; assessing new regional travel behaviors and commute patterns; soliciting public input and accounting for the needs of low income, disadvantaged, and environmental justice populations throughout the metro Atlanta region; and coordinating with local and county governments, social service providers, employers, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“We are pleased to receive this award from the FTA which will go a long way in helping us increase our ridership as we continue to provide high quality and efficient transit service throughout the 13-county metropolitan Atlanta region,” said ATL Interim Executive Director, Heather Aquino.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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The Specially Called Committee Meetings will begin at 8:30 am and the Board of Directors Meeting will immediately follow at 9:30 am

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority announces that it will hold two specially called Board Committee Meetings and its Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, June 2, 2022, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Marquis One, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303.

The Specially Called Xpress Operations Committee Meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and upon adjournment will be followed by the Specially Called Administrative Committee meeting.

The ATL Board of Directors Meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. or immediately following the Specially Called Administrative Committee meeting should that meeting extend beyond 9:30 am.

To view the Committee and Board agendas and options to watch remotely, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/the-atl-board/.

Meeting Schedule:
▪ Specially Called Xpress Operations Committee Meeting (8:30 a.m.)
▪ Administrative Committee Meeting (Upon adjournment of Xpress Operations committee meeting)
▪ Board of Directors Meeting (9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Administrative committee meeting if it adjourns after 9:30 a.m.)

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Face Coverings No Longer Mandatory for Xpress Commuters Effective April 18, 2022 

Ruling follows The White House announcement that the Transportation Security Administration will no longer enforce the federal mandate

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority announces that face coverings are no longer mandatory for Xpress commuters effective April 18, 2022.

As of Monday, April 18, masks are optional for all Xpress employees, and customers. Employees and customers that wish to still wear masks may continue if they choose. This announcement follows the ruling of a U.S. district court judge on Monday, along with the Biden administration announcement that the Transportation Security Administration will no longer enforce the federal mandate requiring the public to wear masks while on airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares. This also applies to travelers in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and seaports; train, bus and subway stations and any other areas that provide transportation.

Given the unexpected nature and timing of the federal announcement, please be patient with others who may not be aware that enforcement is no longer required. Xpress is in the process of updating bus header and onboard communication systems about the change to a mask optional policy.

ATL Xpress transit services is committed to doing its part in slowing the spread of the coronavirus while continuing to provide critical services to customers that rely on public transit. The enhanced cleaning regimen for Xpress with a combination of daily cleaning of high touch areas using products promoted to eliminate 99,9 % of germs will continue. Ericka B. Davis Tiffany L. McCall Chief Communications Officer Communications & Media Director 404-893-3033 office 404-893-3025 office 404-226-9339 cell 470-249-7531 cell [email protected] [email protected]
For additional information visit www.XpressGA.com. Customer service representatives will be available Monday – Friday from 5:30 A.M. – 8:30 P.M. at 844-XPRSSGA (977-7742) and riders may also sign up for alerts by texting XPRESS to 888777 for additional information.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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