Todd DeFeo

MARTA: No Delay for Five Points Overhaul

June 25, 2024 Todd DeFeo

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority officials said they are advancing with a roughly $230 million Five Points Station upgrade despite concerns from some local officials and advocacy groups.

The fight for the General (Part I)

June 23, 2024 Todd DeFeo

When the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway leased the Western & Atlantic Railroad in 1890, the railroad took possession of the General locomotive.

Georgia PSC to Hear Arguments on Railroad Request to Condemn Land

June 19, 2024 Todd DeFeo

The Georgia Public Service Commission will hold oral arguments on a railroad’s request to condemn land for a proposed 4.5-mile-long spur.

Why Does Georgia Own Railroads?

June 17, 2024 Todd DeFeo

Georgia owns several railroads, but does it make sense for states to own railroads in the 21st century, and do state-owned or subsidized railroads provide enough of a benefit to taxpayers?

MARTA Board Adopts $1.6B Fiscal 2025 Budget

June 14, 2024 Todd DeFeo

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Board of Directors has adopted a $1.6 billion fiscal 2025 budget for the agency, a spending plan that increases spending even as its ridership lags.

Cobb, Gwinnett Voters to Decide Transit Tax on Nov. 5

June 12, 2024 Todd DeFeo

Voters in two metro Atlanta counties will decide on a tax to support transit when they head to the polls for November’s presidential election.

Georgia lawmakers fail to fund tuition-free CDL programs for veterans

June 3, 2024 Todd DeFeo

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed a measure that would have required the Technical College System of Georgia to offer tuition-free commercial driver’s license training programs for veterans.

MARTA opens updated Airport Station, advances $1B rehabilitation initiative

May 20, 2024 Todd DeFeo

(The Center Square) — The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority re-opened its Airport Station on Monday following a six-week closure as part of a multi-million-dollar station update. The $55 million upgrade to the station connected to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is part of a systemwide, roughly $1 billion multi-year Station Rehabilitation Program initiative to overhaul all 38 stations. The transit agency is paying for the upgrades using State of Good Repair Funds from its capital budget. The station has been closed since April 8 as crews installed new terrazzo flooring in the concourse and new platform pavers. Workers also repaired,

A Brief Look at the Georgian Passenger Train (Part II: The Later Years and Notable Incidents)

May 17, 2024 Todd DeFeo

While the Georgian’s early years were successful, after about a decade, the train saw a decrease in ridership.