Amtrak ponders its place in Atlanta

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Amtrak ponders its place in Atlanta
August 29, 2011
By Rachel Tobin
AJC

After four decades in a quaint but tiny, parking-impaired station in south Buckhead, Amtrak says it needs a new home for its Atlanta operation.

By early next year, the federally-run passenger rail service expects to have a preferred site for a new terminal. An Amtrak official said candidates include Atlantic Station, and three MARTA stations: Lenox, Brookhaven and Doraville.

But Amtrak could face tough going when it comes to federal, state or local funding for such a move. It was turned down this summer for a grant towards a $38 million project to build a terminal at Atlantic Station, the mixed-use development west of the current location.

Future federal rail funding is uncertain amid budget battles in Congress. Georgia’s transportation needs are much greater than available funds - even if voters approve a 1 cent transportation sales tax for metro Atlanta. The fact Amtrak handles two trains and about 300 people a day in Atlanta - fewer than some Delta jets carry in one flight - won’t push it to the top of many priority lists.

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