Passenger rail plans move forward

LAWRENCEVILLE - A state agency is moving forward with its plans for passenger rail lines from Atlanta to Athens and Macon, despite a lack of support from the governor.<br> <br> The Georgia Rail Passenger Authority hopes to bring plans for passenger rail lines public within a month, according to Doug Alexander, rail manager for GRPA, which is part of the state transportation department.<br> <br> Last week, Gov. Sonny Perdue said he wanted to focus on simpler, cheaper solutions to the region&#39;s transportation difficulties. He prefers buses and better traffic light timing instead of heavy commuter rail.<br> <br> But Alexander said the department is moving forward with its work.<br> <br> &#34;All he has done to our knowledge is say he is not going to let $820 million in...bonds,&#34; Alexander said. &#34;We&#39;re going to keep doing what we have been doing, which is planning.&#34;<br> <br> A possible Athens-to-Atlanta line - which would also serve Gwinnett and Barrow counties - is currently planned to open in 2010 and travel through the city&#39;s northern suburbs on the way to downtown.<br> <br>