County-wide bus system being discussed in Atlanta

The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) is negotiating with 13 metro Atlanta counties to start a regional express bus system by next year. Counties that participate will pay the operating costs, and share $350 million disbursed by GRTA for improvements to heavily traveled roads, reported The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The $350 million will be raised by issuing bonds. GRTA's plans call for the new bus service to start in four or five counties intially by 2003, with other counties being added through 2005. The routes would connect to a system of park-and-ride lots built by GRTA and other transit agencies. Potential participants include Gwinnett, Paulding, Cobb, DeKalb and Clayton counties. Each county must reach an agreement with GRTA to begin operation of the service, said the Constitution.