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MARTA urges 10‑year extension of local 'core penny' and narrowly tailored bus‑lane cameras to secure projects
Summary
MARTA asked state legislators for a 10‑year extension of the core local sales tax and for limited bus‑lane camera enforcement in Atlanta, arguing the measures preserve bond ratings, help secure federal grants and protect BRT headways.
At a pre‑session statehouse committee meeting, MARTA interim CEO Jonathan Hunt urged legislators to approve a multi‑year extension of the agency's local sales tax (the "core penny") and to pass narrowly tailored camera enforcement for bus‑only lanes in Atlanta to ensure reliable BRT service.
Hunt said a longer local funding horizon is critical to maintain the agency's strong credit ratings and to remain competitive for federal grants: "That wonderful bond rating, would be jeopardized by having a less than 30 year time frame," he told the committee, arguing that reduced borrowing windows would raise project costs by increasing interest expenses.
He described the bus‑lane camera enforcement proposal as focused on Downtown Atlanta and the Summerhill Rapid A Line, aimed at ticketing parked vehicles and other blockages that would otherwise undermine BRT headways. The legislation, he said, is "narrowly tailored" and intended to free police resources to focus on public safety rather than writing tickets.
Lawmakers pressed for specifics. Representative Mary Margaret Oliver asked for timetables for the South DeKalb Transit Hub and Clifton Corridor; Hunt said South DeKalb is in design with approximately $25,000,000 in support and that Clifton Corridor requires additional funding and prioritization under any new funding package. Oliver also raised concerns about a Microsoft development tied to Bankhead; Hunt said the Bankhead platform extension was funded with Transit Trust Fund dollars and is not contingent on Microsoft's plans.
Several legislators — including Sir Mangum, who represents DeKalb and Gwinnett counties — asked for clearer, more definitive timelines and for engagement with counties that have not joined the MARTA funding structure. Representative Hilton asked whether the bus‑lane enforcement would be limited to BRT; Hunt answered it would be limited to the BRT lanes.
On the question of restricting weapons on transit, which a senator framed as a Second Amendment concern, Hunt said he favored limits similar to air travel: "Can't bring them on a plane, shouldn't be able to bring them on a train." Hunt said the agency is focused this session on the core penny extension and the camera enforcement proposal and has not prioritized sovereign immunity or other items for this legislative year.
The proposed statutes and funding changes remain in committee; MARTA said it will return with more detailed schedules and economic impact estimates for review.
