COBB COUNTY, Ga. — For over 30 years, Cobb Linc has linked Cobb County residents like Marcia Washington to where they need to go. Over the next 30 years, Cobb Linc has plans to expand to account for the county's growth. And over the next 20 days, those plans will come down to a vote for funding.
The 1% Mobility Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax, or M-SPLOST, will add 12 more bus routes, six new transit centers, dedicated bus lanes and more connections to MARTA stations.
"I couldn't get around without Cobb Linc," Washington said. "I'd have to walk everywhere. And I have walked ten miles a day trying to get to a location simply because no buses were in that area. I'd really like for the bus system, transit system to go into other areas of Cobb County.”
Drew Raessler, the director of the Cobb County Department of Transportation, said the M-SPLOST would raise $11 billion for new transit projects over the next 30 years.
"If this measure does pass, we do anticipate being able to connect more areas of the county in a faster, more frequented basis," Raessler said. "So then, with that additional service offering, we would expect a significant increase in ridership. If it does not pass, we have a transit system that has been around for a bit more than 30 years. That would continue. We’d continue to deliver projects and connect with communities as best we can.”
Right now, Cobb's public transit system is funded by federal grants and local property taxes. Cobb County anticipates a 20% population and employment growth over the next three decades, which is why this M-SPLOST is on the table.
Cobb County voters have had a history of turning down transit-expanding measures. Gwinnett County voters have followed a similar trend of voting against transit expansion, but voters will get to have their say on the November ballot.
Cobb County voter Ken Young wants to put the brakes on the M-SPLOST. He's lived in the county for 11 years and said the government has already taken its fair share.
"I think we're taxed to death already," Young said. "I would vote no. I don't use transportation. If it's for handicapped, I would, but if it's just general transportation, no."
If it was up to Marcia Washington, she'd give the tax the green light because, for the last few years, she's relied heavily on public transportation. For the next 30 years, she said she plans to rely on it more than ever.
"I don't think it's a burden," Washington said. "I think it helps; it's an asset. They never know when their automobile will stop on them, that they may have to rely on public transportation."