District 11 election – Ingram & Martin on transit
Two candidates for an open City Council seat representing the southwestern corner of Atlanta shared their positions on transit and mobility with us by participating in Better Atlanta Transit’s questionnaire on the topic.
Toni Bell Ingram and Wayne Martin are among a field of eight hopefuls vying for the District 11 seat currently held by Marci Collier Overstreet, who is running for City Council President. You’ll find their answers to the questionnaire below.
But first a bit about the district: Household incomes in the 11th are the lowest of any of the Council’s 12 districts. And even though the area has received very little in the way of transit resources – no MARTA lines, for example – more residents in the 11th rely on transit than any other district. (For more on district data click here.)
The six remaining candidates in the 11th district didn’t respond to multiple invitations to share their own views on the transit and mobility.
This is one of seven Q&As with Council candidates that we’re publishing in advance of early voting (Oct. 14-31) and Election Day (Nov. 4). BAT’s positions on many of the issues raised by the candidates are well known. But we’re committed to publishing their answers here in a neutral, objective fashion.
Stay tuned on the BAT Blog, sign up for our occasional newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook to gain an in-depth understanding of the candidates’ positions on these issues.
1. Atlantans often complain about traffic, our over-dependence on automobiles and a shortage of viable alternatives. They want to see more walkable, people-friendly neighborhoods and developments. How will you as a Council member work to improve the situation? Is anything that the City or MARTA has done starting to make a difference?
Toni Belin Ingram: As a forty-year resident of Southwest Atlanta living in a one-car household, I know firsthand that transportation is about equity and dignity, not just convenience. Many Atlantans want walkable, people-centered neighborhoods, and while parts of the City have benefited from MARTA station upgrades and bus rapid transit planning, District 11 continues to lag behind. To make real progress, improvements must be shaped by the people most affected.
I will champion regular meetings with legacy residents so planning and scheduling reflect community priorities, and long-time neighbors benefit from new investments rather than being displaced by them. Equally important is clear, consistent communication with riders—particularly seniors, people with disabilities, and working families who cannot afford to be left in the dark about delays or service changes. Real-time updates, multilingual messaging, and accessible signage must become standard practice.
A more walkable Atlanta also requires safer infrastructure: well-marked crosswalks, maintained sidewalks, adequate lighting, and protected bike lanes. Transit must be efficient, but it also has to be safe, welcoming, and inclusive.
My vision is for an integrated, multimodal system where MARTA rail, BeltLine rail, bus rapid transit, and micromobility connect seamlessly. My priorities include:
Ensuring equity in service delivery for historically underserved communities.
Expanding bus and rail frequency so MARTA becomes a reliable daily choice.
Pairing transit expansion with affordable housing and density incentives.
Accelerating More MARTA projects, especially the BeltLine loop.
The Campbellton Road BRT is the first step toward realizing this vision—and a model for how we can deliver smart, equitable transit that lifts all of Atlanta.
Wayne Martin: As a native Atlantan that has watched the City grow from the early 1980s the present day, I've had a firsthand view into the challenges brought on by the influx of growth. This growth has had a detrimental effect on our traffic, giving us the distinction as the 5th worst congested city in the United States. There is much work to be done and if I'm elected to represent District 11, I plan to work toward more walkable Complete Streets corridors, determining priority lists for sidewalk installations by neighborhood, and most importantly, holding MARTA accountable for the initiation and completion of the Campbellton Road Bus Rapid Transit project.
2. There are limited funds available for transit and an endless number of proposed improvements. How would you prioritize the following five solutions? Please rank them 1 through 5. Then, explain your rankings and how you hope to accomplish this.
● Add bus rapid transit lines
● Improve bus service
● Improve existing rail service and stations
● Add infill MARTA rail stations
● Expand the Atlanta Streetcar
Martin
1. Add bus rapid transit lines: This is a priority, because the 83 MARTA route, serving the Campbellton Road to Greenbriar Mall area, ranks as the most frequented bus route in the MARTA transit map. The completion of the Campbellton Road BRT project has the potential to be the catalyst for the much-needed economic development to jumpstart the revitalization of the Campbellton Road Corridor.
2. Add infill MARTA rail stations: Because Southwest Atlanta's MARTA ridership is so high, adding infill stations to service District 11 is key to bolstering economic development for the area. An infill station(s) could also better connect Southwest Atlanta to the BeltLine.
3. Improve bus service: Bus ridership is very high in District 11, therefore improving service would be a plus for all those that rely on buses to get to their places of employment, schools and healthcare providers.
4. Improve existing rail service and stations: Oakland City Station, Fort McPherson and H.E. Holmes Stations are not located in District 11, but they are in close proximity. Each of these are due for vital aesthetic, infrastructure and technology improvements.
5. Expand the Atlanta Streetcar: I believe the Campbellton BRT can eventually be expanded to connect to the Atlanta Streetcar, but it is not of high priority as the BRT phase has yet to be implemented.
Ingram
Improve bus service
Add bus rapid transit lines
Add infill MARTA rail stations
Improve existing rail service and stations
Expand the Atlanta Streetcar
Explanation
Buses serve as a lifeline for many in District 11. Improving frequency, reliability, and safety for bus riders is my top priority. This must include improved rider communication when buses are delayed or rerouted; families, workers, and seniors deserve real-time information to adjust their plans accordingly.
Bus rapid transit should be next. It offers a cost-effective way to expand service, particularly along underserved corridors like Campbellton Road. Infill stations follow because they connect existing rail to more neighborhoods, making MARTA more accessible without adding entirely new lines. Rail service upgrades are essential, but must not come before core improvements. Expanding the streetcar ranks last, given its high cost and low ridership; those funds are better invested in solutions that serve more Atlantans.
My goal is to use limited resources wisely, focusing first on those who rely most on transit today.
3. The TrailsATL plan approved by the City Council envisions 535 miles of bike and pedestrian improvements. The first phase would add 35 miles by 2037. Do you agree with that pace? If not, how would you go about enhancing the program’s funding and shortening its timeline? Are there other steps we need to take to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians?
Ingram: While I love the vision behind TrailsATL, a 12-year timeline for just 35 miles is far too slow. Southwest Atlanta communities need safe, affordable walking and biking options now. I would advocate for reallocating transportation sales tax revenue, pursuing federal infrastructure funding, and leveraging public-private partnerships to accelerate the rollout.
Equity must guide the process. That means meeting regularly with legacy residents to set priorities and ensuring our neighborhoods are not left behind as the system grows. Safety is also paramount: better lighting, traffic-calming measures, and protected bike and pedestrian lanes will encourage more Atlantans to use these trails confidently.
We must also design with vulnerable users in mind, such as children biking to school, seniors walking with canes, and workers commuting on foot. By centering their needs, we create infrastructure that is stronger and safer for everyone.
Martin: I don't necessarily agree or disagree with the timeline, as I know the funding plan is still unfolding. If not, how would you go about enhancing the program's funding and shortening its timeline? I would like to see either a bond issuance, coupled with private philanthropic dollars be allocated for this project or other public funding sources identified for this project (i.e. TSPLOST). Are there other steps we need to take to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians? So many major streets in District 11 don't have sidewalks, and we need to determine if we can expand the Complete Streets initiative to include Childress Dr., Barge Rd., Fairburn Rd., Centra Villa Dr. and Harbin Rd—among others.
4. Broadly speaking, what is your vision of the future of transit and mobility within the city? How would you go about making Atlanta less car dependent and more human scaled?
Martin: I believe Atlanta's future of sustainable and resilient growth must include a well-planned and executed strategy to expand mass transit—including light and heavy rail; deploying transit-oriented development that includes housing, retail and commercial spaces; continuing to introduce innovative last-mile/micromobility options (i.e. rideshare, autonomous vehicles, e-bikes and scooters); and codifying walkability into the new zoning rewrite. These measures will ensure Atlanta's growth is sustainable and equitable for every area of the City.
Ingram: My vision is an Atlanta where every resident, whether in Adamsville, Venetian Hills, Lake Estates, Ben Hill, County Line, Princeton Lakes, Greenbriar, etc. can move through the city safely, affordably, and with dignity. This means building a transit system that is less car-dependent and more human-scaled.
I would prioritize:
· Expanding affordable, frequent bus and BRT service.
· Designing development around transit hubs while protecting legacy residents from displacement.
· Ensuring real-time communication about delays and upgrades, so riders, especially the most vulnerable, are never left without information.
· Building sidewalks, crosswalks, and protected bike lanes that make streets safer for families and seniors.
Transit is not just about getting from point A to point B. It is about freedom: the freedom to access jobs, healthcare, education, and community life. Atlanta can and must create a system where mobility lifts every resident, and I am committed to ensuring that our policies reflect that vision.
