Atlanta Councilmember Kelsea Bond Introduces Resolution to Affirm Atlanta City Council’s Commitment to Building and Advancing Beltline Rail
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
ATLANTA– At today’s Atlanta City Council meeting, Councilmember Kelsea Bond (they/them) will introduce a resolution affirming the Atlanta City Council’s commitment to and support for Beltline rail, the long-awaited proposal to build 22-miles of light rail transit along the full loop of the Atlanta Beltline trail. The resolution requests that the Atlanta Mayor’s Office, in coordination with MARTA, the Beltline Inc., and relevant City departments, collaborate to present an implementation plan and timeline to construct Beltline Rail by January 26, 2026.
This resolution comes less than a week following a transit study presentation by Atlanta Beltline Inc. on Thursday September 3, which reaffirmed the Beltline’s plans to build 22 miles of light rail across the full Beltline loop after Mayor Andre Dickens pulled support for light rail as originally planned in early 2025, citing pushback from business interests along the Eastside Beltline trail. In January 2026, it was reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that, MARTA’s Program and Governance Committee had secretly voted to halt construction of the Eastside Streetcar Extension – a key component of the Beltline’s light rail project – without informing the Atlanta City Council or the larger public.
Since then, the public has been left wondering, “what’s next for Beltline Rail?” Despite the stalling, Atlanta residents have continued to advocate for the construction of light rail on the Beltline, citing that fact that transit was a foundational component of the original plans for the Beltline, the More MARTA referendum’s overwhelming support in 2016, and the importance of public transit investment to increase economic opportunity, mobility, affordability, and decrease dependence on cars in an increasingly hot climate.
“There has never been a more important moment to invest in public transit expansion in Atlanta,” said Councilmember Bond. “Atlanta is only growing hotter and less affordable by the year. Families are struggling to make ends meet, and barriers to transit access continue to exacerbate these struggles. We cannot keep kicking this can down the road. It’s time to make good on our promise to voters and build Beltline Rail.”
Light rail advocates, including members of the grassroots organization Beltline Rail Now, believe that moving forward on rail is necessary not just to curb climate change by getting cars off the road, but also to relieve Atlanta’s congested traffic, increase mobility, and reconnect Atlanta’s neighborhoods.
“It’s time to draw circles, not lines,” said Cristy Lenz, a Board member of Beltline Rail Now. “And what’s a better circle than a 22-mile transit system that connects 45 neighborhoods, 20 schools, and 3 of our biggest parks to MARTA and most importantly, to one another? Let the city that’s too busy to hate get out of our cars and come together on rail. Let’s ride together!”
According to Councilmember Bond, who does not own a car, public transit expansion is one of the most impactful investments the City can make to reduce the cost of living for working families. Atlanta continues to rank as having one the highest wealth gaps in the nation, and is one of the most expensive cities to own a car. “Alongside housing, health care, and childcare, transportation continues to be one of the biggest cost burdens for working families,” said Councilmember Bond. “Not only will light rail expansion reduce car dependency and help save costs, but it will also provide accessible routes to jobs and school, as well as increase overall mobility across our city.”
Councilmember Bond says that following through on Beltline Rail is important to rebuild public trust in local government and voter democracy. “Voters are growing weary of elected officials’ inability or unwillingness to keep their promises on policy. The public already voted to pay taxes to fund More MARTA. The Beltline, MARTA, and elected officials have been promoting light rail on the Beltline for years. To abandon this project simply because of pushback from wealthy business interests on the Beltline is unconscionable. Our duty is to do what’s best for the public, not those who stand to profit from gentrification of the Beltline.”
If passed, Bond’s legislation would request quarterly updates from the Mayor’s office and relevant City departments regarding the status of light rail transit along the 22-mile Atlanta Beltline corridor. The resolution also expresses City Council’s disapproval of potential uses of the Atlanta Beltline transit right-of-way which would preclude, impair, or materially increase the cost or difficulty of future light rail implementation.
The resolution will likely be heard next week in City Council’s Community Development and Human Services Committee on Tuesday, September 15 at 1:30 PM, and the Transportation Committee on Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00 AM. Unless held, the resolution would reach the Full City Council meeting on Monday, September 21 at 1:00 PM for a final vote.
