ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Dozens of people filled the downtown Central Library to attend a town hall about the future of transit in Atlanta.
The Atlanta News First Transit Townhall was produced and moderated by senior reporter Patrick Quinn. The townhall brought together the Atlanta Mayor's Chief of Staff, MARTA's Interim CEO, transportation representatives from Gwinnett and Cobb County, transit equity advocates and a lot of transit users.
"Atlanta is such a wonderful vibrant city and it has so much potential. And we have such a wealth of knowledge, and honestly I think that transportation would just activate it more, said Rachel Pitner, who lives in Chamblee.
Attendees told leaders they want to see MARTA connectivity with neighboring counties, better safety on MARTA, upgraded transit technology, beltline accessibility with even an adjacent rail line, plus more services.
"I've lived here for 36 years, and a lot of things have not been accomplished in that time. That's a long time for us to be still stuck in traffic and everything," said Frank Rambo, who commutes to the city often using MARTA.
"My major wish is for Beltline rail," said Mary Howard, who lives in Edgewood. "I would just love that so much. That is my wish, and I hoped I lived to see it."
Panelists with Georgia STAND-UP, an advocacy group, said the Atlanta News First townhall is the start of the transit conversation, especially important during this election year.
"I felt like we centered the people that are transit dependent that really need to know that someone cares what their commute is like, how the quality of their transit is," said Deborah Scott, Georgia STAND-UP CEO, "So this is a time for the residents of Atlanta and the region to decide what they want."
Attendees also asked questions or made statements ranging from expansion to the condition of MARTA stations.
When pressed on the issue of expansion, city leaders said they are in support of it, as they look to one day possibly expand to Cobb or Gwinnett counties.
Atlanta city leaders and MARTA representatives discussed new changes coming to MARTA, such as a new payment system and newly designed gate entrances.
The town hall aired on Atlanta News First and will stream on ANF+ later this month.