1952
Regional Planning guide recognized importance of mass transit to regional growth.
1954
Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) noted the need for rapid transit "within a few years" in its publication, Now for Tomorrow.
1959
MPC inaugurated a series of four transportation policy studies.
1960
AUGUST
Atlanta Transit System published "Rapid Atlanta," the first proposal for a specific rapid transit system.
JUNE
"What You Should Know About Rapid Transit" published by ARMPC.
1961
JUNE
"Atlanta Regional Comprehensive Plan: Rapid Transit" published by ARMPC.
1962
APRIL
Georgia House Resolution (#668-121) formed the Metropolitan Atlanta Transit Study Commission (MATSC) to undertake a study program and to report need, advisability and economic feasibility of rapid mass transportation of passengers.
NOVEMBER
An amendment to the State Constitution making rapid transit a function of the government failed statewide, but passed in the two largest metropolitan counties.
DECEMBER
The MATSC report, " A Plan and Program of Rapid Transit for the Atlanta Metropolitan Region" was published. It recommended a 66-mile, five county rail system with feeder bus operation and park-and-ride facilities. This study was financed, in part, by a $140,000 grant under section 701 of the National Housing Act of 1954.
1963
MARCH
"The Rapid Transit Committee of 100" was created to inform metropolitan citizens of the importance of rapid transit.
Georgia State Legislature created the Georgia State Study Commission on Rapid Transit to examine the concept from the State's point of view.
1964
NOVEMBER
An amendment to the State Constitution requiring ratification only by the metropolitan counties to make rapid transit legislation passed by 66%.
1965
MARCH
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act (S.E. 102) became a law having passed the Georgia General Assembly 205 to 12. It set up the agency to bring rapid transit to reality but required local referendum in the five counties and the City of Atlanta before the agency could begin operation.
JUNE
The local referendum ratifying participation in the Transit Authority failed in one metropolitan county getting 43% of the vote and succeeded in the other four counties and the City of Atlanta getting 70% of the vote.
1966
JANUARY
MARTA, created by the Act of March 1965, was established as an agency.
NOVEMBER
An amendment to the Georgia Constitution allowing the State to pay 10% of the total cost of rapid transit projects passed statewide getting 50% of the vote.
1967
FEBRUARY
Technical Studies Grant under Section 9 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964/ 66 amounting to $369,333.
SEPTEMBER
"Special Report - Rapid Transit for Metropolitan Atlanta" published by ARMPC with a grant of $122, 376 under Section 701 of the 1954 Housing Act.
1968
JANUARY
First meeting of the Atlanta Area Transportation Study Policy Committee held, and a consultant retained to be financed by MARTA and the Georgia State Highway Department (GSHD) to finish development of a comprehensive, balanced, long-range regional transportation plan.
MARCH
Preliminary engineering on a basic 21-mile system was completed, funded totally by a loan of $125,000 under Section 701 of the 1954 Housing Act.
"The Impact of Rapid Transit on Atlanta" was published by ARMPC as part of the work under the Technical Studies Grant of February 1967.
APRIL
An amendment to simplify and strengthen the MARTA Act of March 1965 passes the Georgia General Assembly 150 to 51, only to be vetoed by Governor Lester Maddox.
JUNE
First Amendment of the Technical Studies Grant was approved and raised the federal participation in planning and preliminary engineering to $536,000.
NOVEMBER
A two-county and City of Atlanta referendum requiring a simple majority to enable MARTA to move into capital programs failed when it received only 44.5% of the vote. Failure was attributed principally to a weak financial plan that relied totally on ad-valorem taxes locally and envisioned approximately 50% federal support, but with no certainty of any federal support.
1969
FEBRUARY
Second Amendment to the Technical Studies Grant was approved, discontinuing certain element s of work and reducing the federal participation to $461, 933 as a result of the referendum in November 1968.
APRIL
AATS Policy Committee received a report from consultants on the comprehensive, balanced, long-range regional transportation plan. The report confirmed the need for raid transit and confirmed the routes submitted by MARTA in the referendum of November 1968.
An amendment to the MARTA Act of March 1965, simplifying and strengthening it, passed the Georgia General Assembly and was again vetoed by Governor Lester Maddox.
MAY
AATS Policy Committee designated consultant's report as the guide for all agencies to use in developing priorities and implementation plans, and requested MARTA and the GHSD to take the lead in initiating studies that will enable AATS Policy Committee to reach decisions on priorities, implementation and financing.
AUGUST
The Board adopted a two-year work program which included further work on the Voorhees Report, refinement of an adopted system in the same detail as the 1968 plan, a new financial plan and public information program.
