Comments on: Reorganization of GDOT diminishes role of transit, rail and intermodal programs

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:29:46 +0000

If there is no public gatherings, town hall meetings, forums, or anything on the matter of informing the public, than no one will contact their legislators….

If rail in Georgia becomes a bigger issue here, like I think it will soon, than we will adopt better plans…

Georgia has always been last in many areas…. transportation, education, etc….

i hate you georgia

By: The Skinny

The Skinny — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:42:04 +0000

Looking Out – if you had any common sense, you would know that Gerald Ross is African-American. Since when are African-American males considered to be “good ole boys?” IDIOT

By: Dose of Reality

Dose of Reality — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:15:08 +0000

The Atlanta region needs to figure out how to fund rail rapid transit on its own. Any proposal that counts on state funding or federal funds with a state match, should be taken off the table.

We know the region has tried to go this route in the past couple years with the metro sales tax idea, but this has again been stalled by the legislature. The region needs to look at other taxing schemes that skirt around traditional sales taxes, since these aren’t allowed under the state constitution unless deemed by the legislature.

Alternatively, state legislatures from the metro area need to figure out how to “divide and conquer” the opponents to recent funding obstacles in the legislature. For too long, there has been an Atlanta vs rest of the state split. Metro Atlanta legislators need to find issues for which one rural region is opposed to another – then deepen that divide and trade their support on side or another for some kind of transit funding.

Face it, the legislature is never going to fund transit. Atlanta either needs to figure out how to be self-dependent, or else play political hardball.

By: Sandy Jo Layne

Sandy Jo Layne — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:39:57 +0000

I won’t be surprised if the controlling factions in the Legislature allows Fed money for rail infrastructure to evaporate. Fewer cars would mean less dependence on and fewer dollars for all those industries that gain from auto ownership and its ripple effects. Preserving the Victorian era character of GA (concentrated wealth and control) seems to be the planters’ goal, even if its at the expense of generating greater wealth in 21st century industries that GA is uniquely positioned to capture(biotech, logistics, etc.) This mindset will perpetuate the status quo of fiefdoms where connections rule, outsiders are unwelcomed, the talented and/or educated youth often leave and rarely return, and those who remain live in endentured servitude. Look away, Dixieland.

By: Dick Hodges

Dick Hodges — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:41:10 +0000

How much longer will Georgians elect or select so-called leaders completely lacking vision and knowledge about how to solve or alleviate transportation and mobility challenges facing the state?? It’s disappointing and discouraging beyond this observer’s ability adequately to express in words. One has to hope that some members of the DOT and the General Assembly, if not the governor’s office, will show some guts and true leadership, missing in large quantities in recent years. Otherwise, the future of Atlanta and the rest of Georgia most assuredly will get bleaker and bleaker, while several neighboring states continue to outrun us with meaningful investments in proven transit and other modes of passenger rail. It’s difficult to consider any longer Georgia as being “the Empire State of the South.”

By: o2bnavw

o2bnavw — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:15:37 +0000

Please note that it was the legislature and governor that passed and signed SB 200 last year that eliminated the division of intermodal programs. GDOT has no choice under this statute. The bill clearly defined which divisions the Department will and can have – none of which included intermodal.

By: Joeventures

Joeventures — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:26:08 +0000

Is it just me, or is he also reversing the changes that got GDOT on the track toward treating rural and urban roads differently?

Have you gotten any comment from Vance to explain these changes?

By: BPJ

BPJ — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:19:44 +0000

Please call your legislators and tell them you want action on rail this session. The main reason we don’t have commuter rail, intercity passenger rail, or state funding for transit, is that well-intentioned people who support these measures don’t contact their state legislators about it.

Think about it: have YOU told your state rep & state senator that this is avoting issue for you? If not, you are part of the problem.

By: Saporta: GDOT downgrades rail program | Fresh Loaf

Saporta: GDOT downgrades rail program | Fresh Loaf — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:01:51 +0000

[...] Saporta sends word that the Georgia Department of Transportation has scaled back its division that oversees rail [...]

By: juanita driggs

juanita driggs — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:51:02 +0000

This could presage what the General Assembly will or won’t do about transit, rail and intermodal during its next sesson. Probably very little or nothing. Like following the money, it would be interesting to trace back to where and how the idea of this “reorganization” started.