On July 18, Clayton County citizens had the opportunity to vote on GRTA’s proposal to provide bus service in the county. By a solid majority of 53% percent, Clayton voters said "YES."

"The people of Clayton County have said they want to stay in step with the rest of the region, and they want more transportation choices," said GRTA Executive Director Catherine Ross. "Hopefully the County Commission will approve this plan soon, and we can get busy putting clean-fuel buses on the road."

"The voice of the people looks pretty clear to me," added Clayton Commission Chairman Crandle Bray.

Discussions of a GRTA-operated bus service in Clayton began in the summer of 1999, shortly after GRTA was formed.

As GRTA’s transportation experts studied the idea, we became convinced that bus service in Clayton County would be a cost-effective measure to improve the quality of life in the Atlanta region by reducing congestion and air pollution.

GRTA put together a proposal that calls for five bus routes to be phased in over three years. The first two routes would connect Hartsfield Airport to major activity centers such as Southern Regional Medical Center, Clayton State College and University, and Southlake Mall.

Because of GRTA’s access to federal and state dollars, those funds would pay 90 percent of the capital and operating costs for the three-year startup period, including the purchase of new clean-fuel buses. Clayton County would only have to provide 10 percent of the total cost, which would be covered by business license fees collected at Hartsfield Airport, according to county commissioners.

"This is a great deal for Clayton County, and it makes a lot of sense for a lot of other reasons," said GRTA Transportation Director Jim Croy, who helped develop Cobb County’s bus service 10 years ago.

Clayton County is the largest county in Georgia with no public transportation either operating or planned, Croy noted. Also, according to studies by the Atlanta Regional Commission, a Clayton bus system would be the most cost-effective new public transportation option that could be implemented in the metro Atlanta area.

The Clayton County Commission conducted four public meetings around the county early this year to discuss the GRTA proposal, and the reaction from residents was mostly positive. Citizens cited a number of reasons why Clayton County needs bus service:

Gene Hatfield, a professor at Clayton State, said buses would help relieve traffic congestion and improve air quality. "Not all of us will use public transportation, but the community as a whole will benefit," he said. Cathy Ratti, a caseworker with the Clayton Department of Family and Children’s Services, said a lack of public transportation is the single biggest obstacle to finding jobs for welfare recipients. Roland Downing, chairman of the Clayton County Development Authority, said public transportation is "a must" if Clayton hopes to attract new industry. Mr. Downing’s point was underscored by a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which looked at the exciting Gateway Village project that is being planned for 130 acres near Clayton State.

This project could be a major economic catalyst for the northern part of Clayton County. It would capitalize on the proximity to the airport and to the university. According to Mike Vollmer, the former acting president at Clayton State, bus service is absolutely critical to the success of the Gateway Village project.

Clayton County Commissioner Carl Rhodenizer, who is on the team planning passenger rail service throughout Georgia, also said bus service is absolutely necessary if Clayton hopes to have passenger rail stations in the county.