December marked the 10th anniversary of Atlanta’s Downtown Streetcar.  There was no celebration or parade to mark the occasion, but it was a significant milestone in the modern history of downtown.

The Atlanta Streetcar was a $98 million model public-private partnership between the city, the downtown improvement district, and MARTA.  The intention was to connect the streetcar to key points in the city and expand economic growth.

The streetcar sits on a 2.7-mile loop between Centennial Olympic Park and the Sweet Auburn Historic District linking to major tourist destinations like the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame on the west and Georgia State University, the King Center and the historic district on the east.

As it lived up to the expectations from a decade ago?  Let’s take a look.

The Positives
There have been many positive upshots to the streetcar that have been underreported.

Now let’s look at the perceived challenges facing the streetcar.

As we reach a critical period in the streetcar’s history, we have a choice to make.  We can abandon it, or we can revitalize it.

The city’s downtown is now undergoing a historic renaissance with new and unique development.  Centennial Yards is leading the way and reshaping the city’s core and energy, bringing residents, sports and entertainment, hotels, condominiums, apartments, and tourism.

Other major developments underway include South Downtown, which is enhancing the neighborhood with renovations of historic buildings, refreshed storefronts and streetscapes, creating a unique urban environment.

Underground is now back bringing a million visitors a year with a new hip, artsy nightlife.  

2 Peachtree is now under development to create a vibrant residential and mixed-use project.

All of this is taking place as Atlanta prepares to host 8 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest sporting event in history.  Global eyes will be on Atlanta, ensuring its role as an international city.  The matches are expected to generate more than $500 million in economic impact.

With this background, it is clear city leaders must do all we can to ensure the long-term success of the downtown streetcar as a vital public transit for the city.

Therefore, what are the steps our city can take to reach that goal?

1. Management Improvement

MARTA took over control in 2018 and their performance has been less than acceptable. The agency in recent years has lost the confidence of much of the public.  

Fortunately, Mayor Dickens understands this and is working with the private sector to develop a task force that will focus on improving MARTA.  That must be done as quickly as possible so a new plan of action for the streetcar can be developed with a committed operator.

2. Return to Free Rides

Initially, it was free to ride the streetcar.  However, after MARTA implemented a $1 fare ridership declined and hasn’t recovered.

Let’s return to the original purpose and do what cities all over the world are doing:  return to free rides, at least while we build back ridership.

3. Enable New Technology

To prevent the criticism that the streetcar gets caught in traffic, it is time to enable existing technology on the streetcars to control traffic signals for quicker service.  

4. Expand the Route

Originally, the streetcar was supposed to be part of a transit network, including a Peachtree Streetcar that would have connected Downtown Atlanta with Buckhead.  That needs to happen.  We should also expand up to the Beltline east and west, but not on the Beltline. (When the Beltline was created, it was never intended to have a streetcar on its path.) So, let’s expand to Centennial Yards and up to the western Beltline and further study any expansion on the east side.

5. Make it fun

We can make the streetcar fun by offering charters for tourist or locals, allow parties, and music, bringing a festive environment to the streetcar and downtown.

6. More Frequent Times

If riders want a more frequent service times, then let’s give it to them, like we would for other important services.  

7. Marketing Campaign

We need to market the streetcar to the public, just like we would any other asset.  Let’s tell the good news and be proud of it.  

For many generations, Atlanta’s public and private leaders have stepped up in unison to address numerous issues important to economic development and transit.  

With the great things happening downtown, the time to revitalize the streetcar with a clear plan of action is now.