As the November 5 General Election approaches, it's crucial to stay informed about key issues, including Gwinnett's Transit Referendum. This county-wide vote will determine whether transit projects will be funded through a dedicated Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). If approved, the referendum would impose a 1% sales tax on the purchase of goods in Gwinnett for 30 years to fund up to 75 transit projects in Gwinnett, expanding to provide 100% countywide coverage. Currently, only 11% of Gwinnett residents live within walking distance of current transit stops.
The approval of Gwinnett's Transit Referendum will allow Gwinnett’s Transit Plan to move forward—the plan lays the groundwork for the next 30 years of transit development in the county, focusing on enhancing mobility through various proposed services, including the improvement and expansion of local bus and microtransit options, the introduction of an airport shuttle to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the implementation of high-capacity transit systems and the addition of more transit transfer facilities, using Ride Gwinnett. Additionally, proposed destinations include healthcare, education and business resources. This plan does not include MARTA, nor heavy rail.
Ride Gwinnett has already made a significant impact on Gwinnett County residents, and we look forward to its continued growth, eventually expanding into the Lilburn Community Improvement District (CID). The proposed transit plan is directly aligned with Lilburn CID's mission to improve safety, mobility and accessibility within our community. By providing a reliable and efficient transit system, the plan has the potential to significantly boost our local economy, attracting new businesses, employers and employees to the area.
Learn more about the transit referendum from Ryan The Transit Guy here, and view the proposed transit service diagram below.