MARTA investment marks “historic day” for Stonecrest

Stonecrest will soon be home to a new Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) bus hub following a grant of $1 million in federal funding.

The announcement was made Feb. 17 at Stonecrest City Hall by Mayor Jazzmin Cobble, DeKalb Commissioner Mereda Davis Jonhson, MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood, U.S. Senator John Ossoff, and U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson.

Greenwood said MARTA officials are considering two locations in Stonecrest for the hub. One proposed location is near the north of The Mall at Stonecrest while the other is west of the mall.

“Both have their merits. Both will offer proximity to the mall and enough space for us to the design what we are working on,” added Greenwood.

Once built, officials say the new hub will provide riders with amenities such as restrooms, covered waiting areas, and fare vending. Greenwood added that MARTA is also considered putting a produce stand in the Stonecrest hub.

Several of the speakers noted that the hub will bring a more well-rounded MARTA experience to Stonecrest. Greenwood added that once the hub is operational, MARTA will have options to consider more bus routes and more frequent arrivals throughout Stonecrest. Ossoff said the hub will also increase transportation opportunities from Stonecrest to the rest of metro Atlanta.

“We are delivering, together, a significant federal investment in the improvement in MARTA’s service and amenities in South DeKalb. Specifically, to ensure that the MARTA transit hub will come here to the city of Stonecrest to support service that connects Stonecrest to DeKalb County to the rest of the metro area,” said Ossoff. “We want to connect DeKalb County residents with job opportunities and educational opportunities and support families that need easy access to transportation.”

Johnson said the hub will have spokes that offer more transportation opportunities in every direction — including to and from Rockdale and Newton counties.

Johnson has long been an outspoken supporter of bringing more transportation options to South DeKalb. He said he will continue pushing – even with the plans for the new hub. According to Johnson, bringing heavy rail to Stonecrest is still doable.

“Rail is something that this country can do a whole lot better with. I would like to see all parts of the metropolitan area connected by rail. We already have an investment in rail coming out to the Indian Creek MARTA station … we just need the will to get it done. That is, to extend rail out to this hub [in] Stonecrest,” said Johnson.

Greenwood added that there is currently no timeline for the project but that MARTA officials, “are committed. Let the thought of noncommitment perish moving forward. We are in and we are excited to be here.”