On April 1, Clayton County discontinued their bus service (C-Tran), not because of a lack of ridership, but due to a lack of funds. This is just a symptom of the overall problem in the metro region when it comes to mass transit.  We have a fragmented approach to transportation in the Atlanta region.

We will never be a world-class region when the major component of our transit system (MARTA) rides squarely on the backs of two counties -- Fulton and DeKalb -- while Gwinnett, Cobb and GRTA run their own programs independently, and the remaining seven counties in the metro region have nothing at all. This current hodge-podge of a so-called "transit system" has failed us miserably.

If you go down the same path, you ultimately end up in the same place. In our case, the path is a patchwork quilt of failed disconnected transit fiefdoms that are leading us nowhere fast.

IT'S TIME FOR A NEW METRO TRANSIT VISION

We must have a regional approach to mass transit that befits one the nation's largest transportation centers: Atlanta. This begins by dismantling MARTA and coalescing the other county metro transit providers into one cohesive umbrella organization.

We must alter MARTA’s governance and change the name of MARTA to the regional authority’s new name. Marketing and branding are essential ingredients to gain new riders. For a working title, let's call it: "The ATL."

As in: "Take The A-T-L."

So lets "vision" this out.

There needs to be minimum of 10 counties in the consortium. We cannot repeat the 1960 colossal mistake of allowing counties to "opt out" of "The ATL." That destroyed the long-term feasibility of MARTA right off the bat.

Every county in the new regional transit authority has a seat at the table -- and contributes financially, with a quarter of a penny sales tax allocation.

We install a comprehensive route system with a consistent payment method, insuring the transportation experience is user friendly, seamless and easy to navigate.

We build a multi-model passenger station -- that would rival D.C.'s Union Station -- integrating all modes of transit into a single rider-hub (the Georgia Department of Transportation is actually working on plans for this now).

Safety, efficiency, cleanliness, and reliability quickly become "The ATL's" unabashed trademarks.

We build it. We market it. We brand it.

Ridership increases. Auto congestion decreases. Companies move in. Jobs are created.

THE DENVER MODEL

We should look to Denver as a potential model. They have a 15-member regional transportation board that is elected, not appointed. Each county supports the Denver metro mass transit matrix with the quarter penny sales tax referenced above. They've developed a popular system that provides their residents and visitors with an effective means of alternative transportation while doubling as a powerful dynamic catalyst for economic development.

IT WILL TAKE BOLD ACTION

It is an embarrassment that cities such as Denver, Portland and Charlotte have light rail systems in place and growing, yet we have nothing.

It is going to take undaunted leadership -- a lot of ego's will have to get hat checked at the door -- to do what is best for the overall region to accomplish a first class regional transit system. If you have comment, questions or suggestions e-mail me at brandonl