Gwinnett County voters turn down MARTA expansion
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Voters in Gwinnett County shot down MARTA. The transit system will not be extending into the county. The final tally was 46 percent for the plan, 54 percent against the plan.
The major transit plan would have allowed MARTA to take over the county's current bus system, add 50 miles of dedicated lanes for a bus rapid transit system, and extend MARTA's gold train line from Doraville to Interstate 85 and Jimmy Carter. It called for a one-cent sales tax to make it happen.
"It's a terrible plan, it's ill-conceived, it does not fit our county at all and people resent it," said Joe Newton.
Newton urged people to vote against the plan.
"MARTA lost this vote years ago by the way they conducted their business, so it was a matter of us getting people out and reminding them what kind of operation MARTA is," said Newton.
Michael Beck jumped on board. He's convinced the transit plan would send Gwinnett down a bumpy road.
"The money can be used in a much better way than 4 miles of rail and extending our bus services, we feel we can do a better job on our own," said Beck.
Those who wanted MARTA to move in said this plan would have changed the lay of the land for Gwinnett County.
"If we want to be part of the next generation and be the beacon for the south, we have to have transit," said Heather Hayes.
Paige Havens says the issue of transit isn't going away and it's not a matter of "if" but a matter of "when".
"It's going to come around again and we're not going to give up until we make this happen," said Havens.
Close to 92,000 voters cast their ballots in Tuesday’s election.