GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County leaders have called for a referendum to have voters decide whether to expand its transit system.
If approved, the sales tax referendum would fund Gwinnett County’s massive transit expansion project, overhauling its bus and micro transit system. The county serves almost a million residents, but right now, its bus system doesn’t reach every part of the county.
Director of Capital Improvement Projects China Thomas said the current bus system reaches about 40% of the county.
“Our residents don’t have a secondary alternative outside of the cars in certain areas of Gwinnett County,” Thomas said.
It’s a process to get there. First, the county commissioners would have to vote in May to approve creating the referendum.
Then, it would go before voters in November. Supporters said it would allow the county to create more direct routes, expand its local ride-share service and better connect to other transit options like MARTA.
Gwinnett residents have a history of turning down transportation expansion plans. In 2020, by a slim margin, voters rejected a 30-year, 1% sales tax to fund an expansion of public transportation.
However, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson said she believes this year will be different.
“When the last vote failed in 2020, it was just under 1,000 votes, and we as a community didn’t accept that. We came back and created a stronger and better plan, which is truly reflective of our community,” Hendrickson said.
The next steps will be for leaders to create the referendum and begin holding public educational meetings.