Georgia Senate passes resolution to create central transportation website

bbeach-293x300ATLANTA — The Georgia state Senate has passed a resolution that would create a central website for metro Atlanta’s four public transportation agencies.

Senate Resolution 735, which passed the Senate this week by a 50-0 vote, comes amid gripes the area’s agencies are not integrated, making it difficult for travelers to transfer between the different agencies that serve different counties within Metro Atlanta.

Currently, riders cannot buy a single ticket if their trip requires they take more than one of the public transportation agencies in the region. However, the proposed website — www.goatltransit.com — would remedy that.

“I am thankful for the support of my colleagues on the unanimous passing of Senate Resolution 735,” state Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, said in a statement.  “As the economic climate in our state continues to rise, it is crucial that our citizens and visitors have accessible and user friendly public transportation.  By the four agencies coming together to coordinate and communicate, we are making great strides toward a world class regional system that makes Atlanta the model for public transportation throughout the country.”

Beach introduced the measure after consulting with leaders from Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), Cobb Community Transit and Gwinnett County Transit.

The resolution heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration.  If approved, the website could be online by July 1.