Summerhill BRT line bags federal grant for new buses, 30 stops

Atlanta has been awarded federal funds to assist in the creation of a bus rapid transit (BRT) line connecting downtown to Summerhill.

According to Senator Johnny Isakson’s office, MARTA will receive $12.6 million to implement the 9.4 mile transit line, which was proposed last year to stretch from Midtown to development around Georgia State University Stadium.

When first announced, it was expected that the line could cost upwards of $50 million, and it’s not immediately clear where additional funding will come from.

However, the $12.6-million boost is expected to cover the cost of buying five specialized buses for the route and 30 stops.

The award is part of the latest round of TIGER grants.

However, unlike true BRT—which runs in a dedicated right-of-way and has fare collection before boarding—the proposed line is slated to run in mixed-traffic in some segments.

On a more positive note, it’s anticipated that the line will tie into existing MARTA rail stations and the Atlanta Streetcar.

• ISAKSON, PERDUE APPLAUD NEW GRANT FUNDING FOR MARTA [U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson]
• As Atlanta Mulls Rapid Buses, Someone Explains What it’d Take [Curbed Atlanta]