Morrow council declines to approve MARTA Southlake BRT IGA, requests microtransit talks

The Morrow City Council on July 14, 2026 did not approve the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority for the Southlake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, directing MARTA to return to negotiations to better align the project with the city's stated priorities.

MARTA staff described the Southlake BRT as a 13.6-mile corridor linking Southlake Mall and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with 19 stops, 10-minute frequency and enhanced "train-like" stations. MARTA said it has a current Federal Transit Administration award of $70 million and plans to resubmit in August 2026 seeking up to $150 million; total estimated project cost was presented at about $355 million, with revenue service targeted for February 2032.

Council members raised multiple concerns during extensive questioning. Mayor Pro Tem Khoa Vuong pressed on funding structure and operational cost responsibility; MARTA staff confirmed operations would be covered by the existing 0.5-penny Clayton County sales tax rather than billed to the City. Councilwoman Lana J. Labay asked about station amenities and noted a recent observation of a wheelchair user waiting at an uncovered stop; MARTA confirmed proposed stations would include canopies and dedicated wheelchair spaces. Councilwoman Hue Nguyen and Councilman Wayne Collins questioned the absence of a completed microtransit feasibility study and emphasized prior communications about microtransit connections to Clayton State University and Forest Park; MARTA said no feasibility study had been completed and that a February 2026 draft letter of intent had not advanced.

Mayor John J. Lampl II argued the proposal did not match what he described as the voter-approved intent of the county transit tax and asked whether roughly $346.2 million held in a Clayton County reserve—cited during the presentation—might be used more transformatively. Mayor Lampl urged integration of microtransit, a transit hub near SR 19-41, and rail-oriented investments rather than the proposed dedicated-lane bus in certain corridors.

MARTA staff, including Carolina Ramos and technical consultants, acknowledged the local history of commitments, said the current scope reflects the agreement Clayton County entered into when joining MARTA, and confirmed they would return to the negotiating table in good faith. No motion was made to approve the IGA; Council members agreed to seek additional negotiations before any agreement is executed.