General FAQ


	GENERAL FAQ's

	Topics of Interest:
	Georgia Rail Passenger Program
	Program Funding
	Rail Passenger Service
	Passenger Rail Lines
	Abbreviations


	Georgia Rail Passenger Program
Q:	What is the Georgia Rail Passenger Program (Georgia Rail)?
A:	Georgia Rail is a joint program of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority (GRPA) and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA). The aim of the program is to revive rail passenger service in Georgia using to the maximum extent possible existing railroad corridors.
Q:	How can I obtain on an on-going basis, information about the Georgia Rail Passenger Program? And the alternatives analysis process and how can I express my views about the various proposals under consideration?
A:	Citizen Participation is a required and essential part of the alternatives analysis process. You may obtain information and provide input in several ways, as follows: Write us at: Georgia Rail Consultants c/o Steve Roberts 101 Marietta Street, Suite 3480 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone us at: 404-222-9101 Fax us at: 404-222-9901 E-mail us at: georgiatrains@garail.com (please include your complete mailing address for future updates!)


	Program Funding
Q:	How will the Program be funded?
A:	It is proposed that a combination of federal, state and local funds be used to fund the implementation of the Program. To date the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has programmed approximately $114 million in state and federal funds for rail passenger service. The State Legislature has already appropriated in excess of $14 million for planning and to match the federal funds.
Q:	What is the estimated cost of the plan?
A:	The preliminary estimate for implementing the statewide rail passenger program is 3.6 billion in 2005 dollars, including construction of a Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal in downtown Atlanta and purchase of rolling stock. The estimated cost of initial service between Lovejoy and Atlanta on the Macon Line is $106 million and between Cedars Road and Atlanta on the Athens Line is $311 million.


	Rail Passenger Service
Q:	What is the difference between Commuter Rail and Intercity Rail?
A:	Commuter Rail—Miami to West Palm Beach, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Northern Virginia, and Los Angeles are examples; many large urban areas of the country have commuter rail service; typically serves daily home-to-work trips; traditional rail passenger cars, more frequently double-deck cars pulled by a diesel/electric locomotive; generally provides service between suburbs and central cities; generally no standees; stops are typically 2 to 10 miles apart; 79 mph top speed; service generally provided during AM and PM rush hours, minimal mid-day and evening service. Less expensive to build at under $5 million per mile than Intercity rail. Intercity Rail—Most major US cities, including Atlanta with the Southern Crescent, have at least limited intercity rail service. Typical service frequency depends on ridership demands; similar equipment to commuter rail; two to three trains per day between major cities; functions best with track configuration that permits travel at a high rate of speed so that long distances can be covered in a reasonable period of time; because of travel times, no standees and passenger seating tends to be more spacious; most variable in cost depending on extent of use of existing tracks from cost of buying trainsets can cost from $5 million per mile up to $100 million per mile for new corridor construction in tunnel in an urban area.
Q:	How do we implement rail passenger service?
A:	A number of actions must take place before rail passenger service can be implemented, including, at a minimum, the following: 1) an analysis of alternatives in each corridor to determine the best way, all factors considered, to improve mobility. The alternatives analysis will be followed by an environmental assessment of the preferred alternative; 2) formal agreement with the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads for use of their tracks if this is determined to be the preferred alternative; 3) commitment of funding. Detailed studies to determine the needed investment in additional track capacity are also underway. These studies are a critical part of the negotiations with CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads. Finally, plans for the Multi Modal Passenger Terminal in downtown Atlanta are being updated as this facility would have to be built in Phase I.
Q:	Has the feasibility of adding passenger service to existing freight lines been studied?
A:	Yes. The feasibility of adding passenger service to freight lines in Georgia has been studied since the late 80s. GDOT conducted studies of commuter rail between 1993 and 1995. Between 1995 and 1997 intercity rail service was studied. GRPA did substantial work on a Major Investment Study (MIS) of commuter rail in the Athens to Atlanta corridor between 1997 and 1998. These studies conclude that, with infrastructure improvements, it is feasible to add passenger service in existing railroad corridors as exists in over a dozen U.S. cities, 7 of them added since 1990. Extensive market research conducted during these studies indicates that significant numbers of Georgians would us the service. Detailed information on these studies may be obtained by contacting GDOT at 404-656-5267 or e-mailing publicaffairs@dot.state.ga.us. To contact GRPA, call 404-656-0610 or e-mail ga.rails@dot.state.ga.us.


	Passenger Rail Lines
Q:	Is there an approved rail passenger plan for Georgia?
A:	Yes. GDOT, GRPA and GRTA have adopted a Rail Passenger Program for Georgia that includes both commuter rail and intercity rail service. It will become a part of local and regional transportation planning. The Plan, which is subject to amendment from time to time, provides commuter service from Athens, Senoia, Madison, Bremen, Gainesville and Canton to Atlanta. Intercity rail passenger service is recommended between Atlanta and Griffin, Macon, Albany, Savannah, Jacksonville, Fla, Augusta, Greenville, SC and Columbus.
Q:	Have priorities been established?
A:	Yes. The Athens to Atlanta and the Macon to Atlanta corridors have been designated as Phase I. Alternatives Analysis in these two corridors has been completed with an Environmental Assessment finding of no significant impact for each line. Service may be implemented on each line as finding becomes available.
Q:	Have service dates been established for the Rail Passenger Plan?
A:	Yes. Service is projected to open as follows: 2008 - Lovejoy 2010 - Dacula and Griffin Future - Athens and Macon LR - Albany LR - Savannah LR - Canton and Jacksonville LR - Bremen, Madison and Augusta LR - Senoia, Gainesville and Greenville LR - Columbus * LR - Long Range These dates and priorities are subject to change based on the results of further planning, negotiations with the railroads, availability of funding and other factors.


	Abbreviations
	AA ACC AMTRAK ARC ATS CAAA CCT CDC CFR CMAQ CSX DBA DEIS DMU DNR EA EIS EPA EPD FHWA FIRM FRA FTA GDNR GDOT GO GRC GRPA GRPP GRTA HOV ISTEA Ldn Leq LRT MARTA MMPT MMTC MPH MPO NAAQS NEGRDC NRHP NS O&M PMT RPMC SIP SPOST SR SWTP TIP TCM TCS TEA-21 TSM UGA USDOT VMT	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Alternatives Analysis Athens-Clarke County National Rail Passenger Service Corporation Atlanta Regional Commission Athens Transit System Clean Air Act Amendments Cobb Community Transit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Code of Federal Regulations Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Railroad (CSX Transportation, Inc.) Decibels Draft Environmental Impact Statement Diesel Multiple Unit Department of Natural Resources Environmental Assessment Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Protection Agency (Federal) Environmental Protection Division (State) Federal Highway Administration Flood Insurance Rate Map Federal Railroad Administration Federal Transit Administration Georgia Department of Transportation Georgia Department of Natural Resources Bonds General Obligation Bonds Georgia Rail Consultants Georgia Rail Passenger Authority Georgia Rail Passenger Program Georgia Regional Transportation Authority High Occupancy Vehicle Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 Day-night Sound Level Equivalent Continuous Noise Level Light Rail Transit Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Multi Modal Passenger Terminal (Atlanta) Multi Modal Transportation Center (Athens) Miles Per Hour Metropolitan Planning Organization National Ambient Air Quality Standard Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center National Register of Historic Places Railroad (Norfolk Southern, Inc.) Operation and Maintenance Program Management Team Rail Program Managers Committee State Implementation Plan Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax State Route Statewide Transportation Plan Transportation Improvement Program Transportation Control Measure Train Control System Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century Transportation System Management University of Georgia United States Department of Transportation Vehicle Miles Traveled