Commuter rail rallies for support at Capitol

This past Valentine's Day, supporters of Georgia's Brain Train gathered for a rally on the steps of Georgia State's Capitol Building, despite the icy weather. Dozens were there, not only to show their support for this form of commuter rail, but to also spark the support of passersby. Supporters like Mike Ford, Executive Director of NewTown Macon, and Abby Blaylock, student at University of Georgia and Chair of Bulldogs for the Brain Train, came to voice their support for the new addition to Georgia's public transportation along with several speakers.

The Georgia Brain Train is a relatively new idea on the platter of proposed solutions to Atlanta's growing traffic problem. The commuter rail is so-called because it would serve the Northeast Metro Atlanta area, connecting Athens through Oconee, Barrow, Gwinnett and Dekalb Counties to midtown and downtown Atlanta. The idea was developed by Emory Morsberger, Chairman of Georgians for the Brain Train. Along that path through Georgia are dozens of universities including University of Georgia, Mercer University and Georgia State University, as well as a handful of influential research centers including the Center for Disease Control. The GA Brain train would also connect through the Clifton Corridor at Emory University.

The difference between commuter rail and other proposed rail solutions and MARTA is that the Georgia Brain Train would run on existing track and right of way. It would use passenger railcars running on freight railroad corridors.

As it stands now, there is a need for alternative modes of transportation. According to a survey conducted by Landmark Communications Inc. and commissioned by Georgians for the Brain Train, 85.7% of those polled believe congestion will get worse in next 10 years and 70.6% described "traffic congestion getting into Atlanta" as a "big problem.

Michael Robinson, Chair of Metro Atlanta Commuter Rail Study Commission mentioned Metro Atlanta is the ninth largest city in the United States and "of the 13 largest cities, only three lacked [sic] commuter rail-Atlanta, Detroit, Mich. and Houston, Texas," the latter of which is in the process of implementing commuter rail service.

With more than 5.1 million people living in the metro Atlanta area and the ninth largest population in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Atlanta has one of the worst commutes in the country.

The Brain Train could serve as many as 10,000 students, professionals, academic experts per day and remove as many as 5,300 cars from congested roadways during peak travel times, according to its website. In addition to alleviating the headaches of many commuters, it would also benefit Atlanta and the environment.

A supporter of the Brain Train, Leslie Bienenfield, junior at Georgia State University and an intern for the Sierra Club Transportation Campaign, said, "Balanced transportation including rail is going to help increase accessibility, cut down on congestion and connect GSU students with their families." Not only could the Brain Train alleviate traffic, it could also help and improve the quality of live in the cities it serves.

There are two problems standing in the way of moving forward with the Brain Train-legislation and funding. In fact, according to Paula Hastings, Planning Commissioner of Gwinnett County, "funding is a key part of legislation."

It would cost approximately $837 million to build the necessary infrastructure, including additional track, stations, etc, with $471 million to build to Athens and $366 million to build to Macon. The funding so far is $120 million, enough for Phase I, going to Macon.

These funding dollars would be federally mandated, one of the reasons why there is so much bureaucracy. But that is necessary, because the Brain Train is "dealing with . . . how taxes will be allocated," according to Ashley Gholamhosseini, PR for the Brain Train Group. This is, however, how other cities with commuter rail funded their respective projects, so it is not uncommon.

The challenge will also include garnering more political support. That is why rallies such as Rally for Brain Train are crucial in getting legislation passed and influencing opinion. "If the public decided they wanted the GA Brain Train, the politicians will listen," said Gholamhosseini.