Streetcar East Extension is the best path forward to BeltLine rail. We don’t have time to wait longer - - the time is now. It might seem that the place to start BeltLine rail would be on the south side, or west side, or someplace near a major MARTA station along the 13+ miles of looping corridor that the city owns on the BeltLine. But a closer look at both the history and the practicalities make the decision to start at the eastern end of the current downtown streetcar clearer and more logical.

Before we talk about cuts, Atlanta really needs to see our mayor, city council, and transit officials prove they're fighting for More MARTA too.

You probably still have a few unanswered questions about how MARTA is choosing to spend the More MARTA Atlanta ½-cent sales tax.

The origin story of the Atlanta Beltline is well known … the people of Atlanta fell in love with a vision that was better than what they saw through their car windshields, we pulled together, did the hard work, and brought this big, shared vision to life.

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.”

Both candidates for the Mayoral runoff have indicated strong support for light rail on the BeltLine. How to choose? With two great choices on the runoff ballot, BRN went to the community to find supporters of each candidate to understand their choice for mayor.

Those who live, work, and play here in Atlanta are seeing candidates who are advocates, even champions, for BeltLine rail, and we at BRN see the potential that in the next four years, there will be a significant start on this project. This is a real victory in the making and your vote on Nov 30 will help to deliver it.

Atlanta has a plan to free us from our complete dependence on cars. What Atlanta really needs from us is to elect leaders on Nov. 2 who will champion that plan. Not someday – now.

When it comes to Atlanta’s quality of life and the future of transit in our city, the stakes could not be higher this election.

“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."

Why is BRN crazy for light rail? Because that’s what Atlanta was promised. It’s what our residents and our voters have asked for. It’s what the experts recommended. It’s time to move past the analysis paralysis and just build it - or this window will close forever.