BeltLine Rail Now

In Sunday's AJC, BRN Chair Matthew Rao calls on Mayor Dickens, MARTA, and ABI. They must fulfill not only the will of the voters and their own visions for transit delivery, affordability, and equity this decade. Rao argues that walking away from Beltline rail by nixing final design and construction of Streetcar East harms everyone. And it assures no new rail service this decade--and well into the next. See our linktree in our profile for the full op-Ed.

“(Streetcar East) can be in service in three years. No other rail project in More MARTA is even close. It will take seven to 10 years from where we are now for any other segments of Beltline rail to be completed. The proposed infill stations will take even longer. What message does it send if major decisions (made by voters) can be reversed by the latest mayor after years and millions spent?"

"And what of equity? A city that cares about affordability cannot be one where car ownership is mandatory to access employment and all the city offers. Transit is economic infrastructure. Without it, inequality widens. Withholding direct transit access now to the city’s biggest opportunity zone is the most inequitable decision MARTA and the mayor could make.” -Matthew Rao for the AJC 02/22/26 🚊