Xpress transit services transfers to the ATL

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The state’s Xpress regional transit service has transferred to the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority. The transfer took effect July 1, according to a news release.

The change comes as a result of HB 930, the ATL’s original enabling legislation from 2018, which mandated Xpress operations transfer to ATL no later than June 30, 2021, and transfer of Xpress’ operating budget from the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority to ATL in the Fiscal Year 2021 state budget.

“The Xpress regional bus service is one of the state’s solutions to meeting some of metro Atlanta’s regional commuter needs. Xpress has been a critical component of the region’s mobility network for the past 16 years, and the ATL’s oversight will lead the service into the future as part of a regionally connected transit network,” said Chris Tomlinson, ATL executive director.

This change in governance will not result in disruptions to current service, and the changes do not impact current Xpress staff. Xpress gives commuters throughout metro Atlanta a reliable transportation option. Xpress offers 27 routes in 12 metro Atlanta counties completing more than 1.8 million passenger trips annually, providing workers with reliable, stress-free commutes to and from major employment centers in Downtown, Midtown and Perimeter Center.

GRTA, which previously had oversight of Xpress, will continue to oversee the review of all Developments of Regional Impact within its 13-county m etro Atlanta jurisdiction and approve the allocation of state and federal transportation resources in metro Atlanta via the Atlanta Transportation Improvement Program.

To codify he legislative change, the ATL Board approved a resolution amending its bylaws to create the Xpress Operations Standing Committee on May 27. This committee will provide board level oversight of the policies, operations and functions of Xpress and the state’s regional Vanpool program.

Information: atltransit.ga.gov/

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Carole M. Schenck wrote: “This is a photo my daughter, Nadia Schenck, took during her Georgia College research trip to Zambia in June 2019. She took this beautiful photo in Zambia’s Kafue National Park.”

“The beauty of a gardenia and its buds! Nature at its best right in the yard,” wrote Martha Jo and Jerry Katz of Marietta.

“Our grandson, Homer, is transfixed by a huge snail in Hawaii, where his mother, a movie producer, is making a film,” wrote Andy Hansen of Sandy Springs.

PAMELA MILLER