Float idea of AMTRAK transport from Gainesville to the Atlanta airport

Posted 1:21PM on Saturday 22nd August 2015 ( 9 years ago )

ATLANTA — What if you could take AMTRAK from Gainesville to the Atlanta airport to catch a flight? It's an idea that's being tossed around by transportation officials, although when that idea might become reality is a big unknown.

In an interview Friday on WDUN's Afternoon News Wrap, Lee Biola with Citizens for Progressive Transit reviewed some thoughts he shared recently in an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The idea right now hinges on the plans of the group that purchased the old GM assembly plant in Doraville. According to the AJC, the plant could support several transportation hubs, including an AMTRAK platform. Whether The Integral Group LLC wants to do that is unclear.

"If it can't be funded from their development, I really think that we need to find a way to make this work," said Biola. "Whether it means getting a federal grant or getting the state to make a contribution or having a combination of those things...because we need a rail-to-rail connection."

The benefit of having an AMTRAK connection to and from Gainesville is two-fold, according to Biola.

Gainesville residents could catch the AMTRAK train at the depot and then make a MARTA connection at Doraville that would take them to the airport, thus avoiding Atlanta traffic and parking fees at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

"Not only would Gainesville residents be able to take advantage of that, but also anyone who is traveling to Gainesville for business. The advantage of that is that people would no longer have to rent a car in order to get to Gainesville," said Biola.

Biola said right now an AMTRAK ticket from Gainesville to the Atlanta station in Buckhead costs around $32. On the surface, that may seem a little pricey, but, said he thinks there's a cost savings, especially for those who are considering more than just a weekend trip.

"When you're looking at a week or so, the costs get much more reasonable for people," said Biola. "But you're also saving the headache of driving and the cost of gas, and it's a lot safer to take the train than it is to drive."

Above and beyond the Gainesville-to-Hartsfield possibility, Biola said his group wants to see overall development of rail service in Georgia.

"America is falling behind Europe and Asia in what we offer people and what we offer businesses as far as flexibility and different choices of travel. We think this is really important for our future."

File photo of the AMTRAK Crescent

http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/8/331114/float-idea-of-amtrak-transport-from-gainesville-to-the-atlanta-airport