As a resident of Old Fourth Ward, located near the proposed Streetcar East expansion, Ian strongly supports both this extension and the larger project of bringing rail to the entire Atlanta Beltline.

In this latest Rail Writers column, we hear from downtown resident Lauren von Hollen, who gives a perspective on commuting by bicycle to the BeltLine from her downtown home. We haven't featured this perspective before, and it is an important one as there are thousands of others like Lauren who live downtown and who will benefit from the Streetcar East Extension, which entered the final design phase with MARTA consultant HDR last month. Read on for her perspective.

Guest blog by André Cross. “There seems to be a clear distinction in many locals' minds between MARTA (the train) and MARTA (the bus), as well as a stigma that transit is something for the poor or those without a car.”

“We need leaders who will ask the hard questions, ensure there is proper oversight and push for additional and creative ways to finance and accelerate the delivery of BeltLine rail. I want my daughter to live in an Atlanta where BeltLine rail is more than lines on a map but a primary form of transportation for the community.”

"Happy to hear Reed’s plans to accelerate Atlanta’s big transit plans by tapping into the anticipated influx of federal transit funding and enthusiastic support from the Georgia congressional delegation.... I was – and truth be told, still am -- having trouble understanding how his plan would generate enough money, and do it fast enough."

Guest blog by Brian Sumlin. “Atlanta deserves more of the light rail effect and I hope and pray that it gets delivered earlier than the times currently proposed right now.”

Guest blog by Jeremy Wilhelm. “After our first son was born, I would ride up with him to drop him off with Oma for daycare now and then. I’ll always remember fondly how much people enjoyed my infant and me commuting together.”

(Rail Writes Blog) Candidates running in Atlanta's city elections need to show voters they understand the far-reaching benefits of transit on the BeltLine - and that we're rapidly running out of time. Hopefully, you've got a plan to light a fire under MARTA. - Beth Smith