C-TRAN (Georgia)
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| Slogan | Tomorrow's Transportation Today |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Jonesboro, Georgia |
| Service area | Clayton County |
| Service type | Local and Express Bus Routes |
| Routes | 4 |
| Fuel type | compressed natural gas |
| Operator | Clayton County |
| Web site | http://web.co.clayton.ga.us/ctran/schedule.htm |
The Clayton County C-TRAN is a bus transportation system in Clayton County, Georgia, that was proposed by the Board of Commissioners, and approved by the voters of the county in July 2000. The Board unanimously agreed to proceed that December, and on February 14, 2001, the Board of Commissioners entered into a contract for the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) to manage the local bus system, linking bus routes to MARTA, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and major commercial and academic centers in the county. In April 2001, the GRTA Board of Directors agreed to purchase the first 12 buses. The 43-seat clean fuel buses are powered by compressed natural gas.
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[edit] Bus proposal
At full service, GRTA will provide buses on three local routes that connect to the MARTA rail system: routes connecting to MARTA at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The service will be implemented in phases, initially with two routes and 12 buses. At full implementation, GRTA will operate about 30 clean fuel buses. In addition, lift-equipped paratransit vehicles will provide service to the elderly and disabled within ¾ mile of the bus routes, upon request.
Two initial routes began on October 1, 2001, with one additional route becoming operational in February 2003. Approximately 54,000 people live within a quarter mile of both routes and more than 50,000 jobs are located within the corridors.
[edit] Routes
- 440 Tara Boulevard to Atlanta (xpress)
- 441 Jonesboro to Midtown Atlanta (xpress)
- 442 Riverdale to Downtown (xpress)
- 500 Airport Loop
- 501 Forest Park Clayton County Justice Center
- 502 Jonesboro Rd./Historic Court House
- 503 Gardenwalk/Mt. Zion Pkwy
- 504 College Park/Riverdale Rd./Hwy 85/Pointe South or Taylor Rd.
[edit] Major areas served
- Jonesboro
- Morrow
- Forest Park
- Lake City
- Riverdale
- Activity centers such as:
- Southlake Mall (Atlanta)
- Clayton College and State University
- Southern Regional Medical Center
- Fort Gillem
- Clayton County Justice Center
[edit] Budget
The initial three-year estimated budget, including startup capital and operating costs, totals $30.7 million with 80% of the funding coming from Federal sources, 10% from the state, and the other 10% from non-property Clayton County tax funds.
[edit] Fares and frequency of service
The final route alignments, fare schedule, bus times, location of bus shelters and other facilities will be determined by Clayton County and GRTA.
[edit] Progress
- July 2001: GRTA signed contract with MARTA to provide operating personnel and facilities for the Clayton County bus system.
- August 2001: Resolution 2001-79 passed by Clayton County Commissioners, naming the new Clayton County Transportation System the "C-TRAN" system (Clayton Transit).
- October 2001: Route 501 and Route 503 became operational.
- February 2003: Route 504 became operational.
[edit] Criticism
- One major criticism of C-tran is the fact that there are no bus stops on the roads inside the city of Morrow, or Mount Zion Rd. between Tara Elementary and Mount Zion Blvd.; Where Clayton Counties main shopping district is located.
- the lack of routes in the system.
- The distance between the bus stops, with some bus stops a whole mile apart from each other.
- The lack of the buses to reach Clayton Counties fastest growing area Clayton Panhandle.
- 3 of the the bus Routes run every hour.
- No bus service to East Clayton County.
- No bus service to Iron Gate, a subdivision off Tara Blvd.
- No bus service to Lovejoy, GA., a small town south of Jonesboro near the Clayton/Henry County line.
- No timely interconnectivity with MARTA.
- No bus stop at Mt. Zion and Tara, a major intersection near large rental and commuter communities.
- One hour from North Clayton county to airport before connecting with MARTA train for a 14-mile one-way trip.
- No student discounts and no on-campus sales at Georgia State, to which many Clayton County residents commute.
- No bus service after 7 p.m. from downtown Atlanta.
[edit] Garage
All C-TRAN Buses Are Housed and Fueled At MARTA's Laredo Garage.
