[smArTaLlone]

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/202...one-interview/

“An effort to bring a streetcar extension line along the Beltline is still in a review phase.

Dickens said that analysis will be critical in determining if streetcar is the appropriate transit mode along the BetlLine.

Once we come out with that, we’ll make sure the public knows, and we can make a clear decision on do we want it to be on rails, do we want it to be on rubber tires, do we want small pods or do we want to leave this as a walking trail?” Dickens said. “I think by having it as right now with four infill stations, you’re seeing connectivity coming to the BeltLine. Now how do we get people around the BeltLine?”

Higgs also would not commit to a stance about the streetcar extension project.

“We have to let the data drive. That just cannot be a heart-strings decision, but it has to be data driven,” Higgs said. “Once we have the data, we’ll be very clear about our position on all things transit.”

MARTA is conducting two studies on the proposed streetcar extension along the BeltLine. One study is gauging the feasibility and cost of replacing wired streetcars with smaller, electric off-catenary wire trains.

Another study is looking at how to improve the efficiency and experience of the existing streetcar.

Those studies will be complete at the end of May, according to a MARTA spokesperson.