Relief May Come to Sandy Springs Commuters at Perimeter Center

Two entities met this week to discuss commuter bus service around the Perimeter Center area. Plans under review would redirect Xpress Commuter bus service from North Springs to Sandy Springs MARTA station.

The plans were part of a wider discussion on service enhancements at the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority board meeting.

“Perimeter is developed densely enough to have meaningful ridership,” said Jannine Miller, GRTA’s executive director. “This is in keeping with the statewide transportation plan.”

A partnership between the Perimeter Center Improvement Districts and the GRTA was also considered. Density of development at Perimeter makes it a natural partner for GRTA, Miller said.

The PCID and GRTA’s shared goal would be to make it easier for workers to get to and from their offices.

Xpress buses help keep cars off Ga. 400, I-285 and the Perimeter area’s surface streets. The buses also provide an alternative for commuters from far-flung locales including, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties, and Conyers.

Perimeter’s office district is the largest submarket of office space in metro Atlanta without direct Xpress service. Area leaders see transit as a solution to the traffic gridlock that is routine in the area.

“Xpress service is going to provide one more transit option we don’t currently have,” said Bob Voyles, a developer who is a founder and current board member of the PCIDs. “Xpress also will allow folks who live farther out a choice to driving their cars to Perimeter.”

Voyles serves on the GRTA board.

Jim Ritchey, GRTA’s deputy director, said the source of funding for the planned service enhancements would include federal funds from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program.

Here’s a list of the plans now being reviewed:

• Redirect Route 401-P from MARTA’s North Springs Station to the Sandy Springs station.
• Have Route 401-P make additional stops in the Perimeter area, at sites to be determined in consultation with the PCIDs.
• Redirect Route 428-P to include an additional pick-up and drop-off at West Conyers Park and Ride.
• Have Route 401-P make additional stops in the Perimeter area, at sites to be determined.
• Create a new Route 413-P to provide service from north Gwinnett, the area at Hamilton Mill/Discover Mills, to a site to be determined in the Perimeter area.

A public comment period will be held from April 25 through May 25.  For more information go to the Xpress web site.