Light Rail in Atlanta Metro? (East Point, North Atlanta: home, neighborhood, college)

[ByeByeHeat]

This may sound like a stupid question, but I've heard a lot about Atlanta being called the LA of the south. When I think of LA and other big cities, I think of light rail transit.

My question is does the metro Atlanta area have a transit system similar to NJ Transit? What I mean by this is just about every town is connected to Atlanta in some way by a light rail system that would culminate in sort of a Penn Station type place?

So, if I were up in Jasper, somewhere near the Carolina border or somewhere even near TN is there a rail system that I can hop onto to experience downtown Atlanta and then come home to my place of peace?

Or are we limited to MARTA and just Fulton/DeKalb County?

[gt6974a]

first question answer: no

second question: no

third question: yes, but it's amtrack, not light rail

fourth question: yes

[ByeByeHeat]

Thank you.

[DeaconJ]

1. That would be commuter rail connecting Atlanta with nearby towns and suburbs, not light rail.
2. The planned Beltline will be a lightrail loop around the city, connecting with MARTA at 4 stations.
3. Jasper is 60+ miles from Atlanta, so too far for light rail...you would either drive, ride Greyhound or Amtrak, or ride commuter rail.
4. MARTA is only Fulton and Dekalb Counties at the moment, but it is a heavy rail system so its faster and has a higher capacity than light rail.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by gt6974a

first question answer: no

second question: no

third question: yes, but it's amtrack, not light rail

fourth question: yes

As for ? # 3, Amtrak's only route through Atlanta is the old Southern Crescent route, from New Orleans to DC.

[ByeByeHeat]

Sorry for my mistake. Is there a commuter rail system available? That would make things perfect. I appreciate all of your help.

[PKCorey]

Is there a commuter rail system available?

Nope

[thedudewiththeplan]

Sorry, If you live outside of Atlanta or Decatur, there really is not any rail transit of any kind. A few of the inner counties do have bus systems but places like Jasper and other outer suburban counties really do not have any public transit at all (not even buses!).

[ByeByeHeat]

Thanks for your help. I see that Decatur/Druid Hills are only around 7 - 10 miles away from Atlanta. Does that mean it basically is still Atlanta? Kind of like how the Bronx is still New York City? What is the sphere of influence around the Atlanta area? How far do you have to go before things become suburbia and more slower paced/less congested? Are they still within a reasonable commuting time of the area

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by ByeByeHeat

Thanks for your help. I see that Decatur/Druid Hills are only around 7 - 10 miles away from Atlanta. Does that mean it basically is still Atlanta? Kind of like how the Bronx is still New York City? What is the sphere of influence around the Atlanta area? How far do you have to go before things become suburbia and more slower paced/less congested? Are they still within a reasonable commuting time of the area

Some of Druid Hills is in the city of Atlanta, and it is an Atlanta neighborhood. Decatur is a separate incorporated city, but considered by most people to be part of Atlanta.

The close-in suburbs are fairly urban in nature...Decatur, Doraville, North Atlanta, East Point, College Park, Hapeville, etc. You have to drive for a bit to really get into suburbia - in fact I haven't been to a real Atlanta suburb in years.