GRTA takes area officials for a ride

By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@thecitizennews.com

Time, money and stress are the three aspects of metro commuting that GRTA (Georgia Regional Transportation Authority) officials hope to address in launching an express bus service to seven outlying counties such as Fayette, Coweta and Douglas.

While commuter coach routes are still about two years away, test runs to target areas, and complimentary rides for county and municipal officials are being conducted to gauge response to the proposed service.

Jim Croy, GRTA’s transportation director, said express buses are just one part of the solution to metro Atlanta’s battle with traffic congestion and smog. Van pools, expansion of the HOV lanes, fixed transit (trains, for instance) and park and ride stations all must contribute to the success of a good system, he said.

Approximately $62 million has been approved in the Transportation Improvement Program by GRTA and the U.S. Department of Transportation to purchase a fleet of 180 to 220 buses. GRTA plans to phase in the buses with an initial order of about 60 by early 2001.

A “commuter coach” manufactured by Motor Coach Industries took officials from GRTA and counties targeted for service on a ride along Interstate 20 Friday afternoon.

MCI representative Gene Hall compared the features of the “commuter coach” to an average city bus. Upholstered seats, narrow aisles and individual reading lights and air vents set the 49-seat vehicle apart from the wide aisles and stiff vinyl seats of the typical MARTA bus. “You can really get some work done,” Hall said. The idea is for city- or airport-bound commuters to take advantage of a smooth ride and extra time gained by giving up the wheel of their current mode of transport for “coach travel.”

Substituting buses powered by compressed natural gas for cars run on pollution-causing fuels is also expected to cut down on the dangerously high levels of air pollution, according to GRTA officials.

No one from Fayette County’s electorate took part in Friday’s transit promotion, but historically county officials have opposed government-supported bus systems for Fayette, encouraging private companies instead.