Council president’s election - Malhotra, Overstreet on transit
The two candidates for the second-most powerful elected position in Atlanta city government offered extensive answers to four questions we posed about Atlanta’s transit and mobility future. We’re grateful to Rohit Malhotra and Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet for their participation, as well as for the thought they put into their answers.
We’re publishing similar responses from candidates for six contested Atlanta City Council seats in the upcoming local elections. But Council president is generally regarded as the most important position after mayor, because the president names council members to committees, assigns legislation to committees, sets the council agenda and presides over council meetings.
BAT’s positions on many of the issues raised by the candidates are well known. But we’re committed to publishing them here in a neutral, objective fashion. Toward that end, please note that we alternate the order of answers to each question to minimize any advantage that a candidate might have simply for coming first.
Stay tuned on the BAT Blog, sign up for our occasional newsletter or socialize us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook to gain an in-depth understanding of the candidates’ positions on these issues. 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?
Rohit Malhotra: Few issues are as fundamental to equity and opportunity as safe, reliable transportation. Without it, people cannot fully participate in our economy or civic life. As City Council President, I will transform transportation — from a matter of convenience to a pillar of justice — by championing walkability, reducing car dependence, and building a people-first city. We will do this with:
1. Dynamic, Accountable Planning: We will develop an integrated, multimodal transportation plan that prioritizes walkable, human-centered neighborhoods—not just as theory, but reality. That means committing to ongoing monitoring and updates based on community needs, not election cycles or political expediency. This plan should be reported on to Council on a regular, recurring, and ongoing basis.
2. Inclusive Community Engagement: Authentic public input requires more than box-checking. We will ensure that every community—particularly those underrepresented—has meaningful, geographically diverse representation in shaping mobility policy. Oftentimes, a small group of people can claim to be representative of a much larger community and misrepresent their views. Our engagement will be intentional, inclusive, and enduring.
3. Budget-Driven Strategy: Plans without budgets breed broken promises. Every proposal must be paired with realistic funding and transparent resource allocation. By anchoring plans in fiscal reality, we'll uphold public trust and prevent stagnation. This, too, needs ongoing reporting.
4. Transparent Reporting: If we wait for problems to escalate before reporting progress, we sow distrust. We will commit to proactive, regular updates at each milestone—keeping residents informed, accountable, and confident in our process.
I envision a city where transit opens doors and opportunities are within reach—especially in historically underserved neighborhoods. Where infrastructure investments are equitable, daily life is easier for all of us, and the city delivers on its promises.
Yes, MARTA and the City of Atlanta are making strides—bus rapid transit and new pedestrian safety measures are encouragiing. We also see a more comprehensive plan for trails and protection of our greenspace. We also passed a major $750 million infrastructure package. But the reality is, most of that progress is only happening under pressure during election season, not because of effective delivery systems. Of that infrastructure money, a small percentage has been spent and mostly outside of areas that need it most. That must change.
I will create a transportation system that is predictable, equitable, and efficient, rooted in civil rights—not politics. Together, we will build an Atlanta where every person can move safely and freely, and where infrastructure truly serves the public good.
Marci Collier Overstreet: As the current councilmember of District 11, I’ve made improving transportation a top priority for all Atlantans, with a special focus on the needs of my southwest Atlanta neighbors. I’ve also advocated for public transit and mobility solutions while serving as Chair of our Zoning committee and on Georgia’s Board of Directors for the Atlanta Regional Transit Authority. One of my proudest accomplishments has been the completion of the long-overdue repaving of the Cascade Road corridor, a challenge that existed long before I took office, but one that directly affected safety and daily life in our community.
Beyond infrastructure, I have consistently advocated for pedestrian safety and equitable access to public transit, supporting legislation that makes our streets safer and our transportation options more accessible, and investments in green infrastructure, quality parks, and recreation and trail amenities. Through both my lived experience and my work on Council, I understand the real-life consequences when transit is unreliable, unsafe, or out of reach.
During my time on Council, I've expressed frustrations at the lack of progress for promised projects in my corridor like safer sidewalks and improved lighting. Sadly, too many projects remain stuck in early planning or first-phase construction, and we've seen significant inequities of where projects do get implemented. Also, the progress on the More MARTA projects is embarrassing. Our citizens deserve better.
Most recently, I’ve leveraged my position to push MARTA to make meaningful improvements to our city’s public transportation system and sponsored legislation to audit our progress on More MARTA. I believe transportation is not a privilege—it’s a necessity. Every Atlanta resident, no matter their neighborhood or income, deserves transit and mobility options that are affordable, accessible, and safe. By continuing this work, I will fight to ensure that our city’s transportation system supports opportunity, safety, and mobility for all.
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
Overstreet
1. Add bus rapid transit lines: BRT provides high-capacity service at a fraction of the cost of rail expansion. Strategic BRT corridors can reduce congestion, connect underserved communities, and complement existing bus and rail service. I will continue to advocate for additional investments in BRT lines, including the planned Campbellton and Clifton corridor projects.
2. Add infill MARTA rail stations: Infill stations improve access and connect more neighborhoods to the rail system, but they are more costly and take longer to implement than bus or rail upgrades. They should be built where they provide the greatest equity and ridership impact.
3. Improve existing rail service and stations: Our current MARTA infrastructure needs constant investments to improve its delivery service to all users. Prioritizing maintenance, safety, and station upgrades ensures the system remains reliable for current riders while attracting new ones. We need to work with MARTA leaders and regional transit leaders on initiatives that increase ridership and invest in future capital projects throughout the entire system.
4. Expand the Atlanta Streetcar: While the streetcar is valuable for downtown connectivity and economic development, its reach is limited. Expansion should be considered as part of a larger, integrated transit plan, rather than a top funding priority.
5. Improve bus service: I’m very supportive of MARTA’s Bus Network Redesign and hope it’s fully implemented in 2026. Buses are the backbone of Atlanta’s transit system, serving the most neighborhoods and providing affordable access to work, school, and daily activities. By improving frequency, reliability, and coverage, we can make an immediate, meaningful impact on thousands of residents’ daily commutes.
I will work closely with MARTA, Atlanta Department of Transportation, community groups, residents, and other regional and state transit authorities to ensure funding aligns with equity, ridership, and safety priorities. By leveraging federal grants, state and city funds, and public-private partnerships, we can maximize impact and ensure transit investments benefit all Atlantans, especially those in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Malhotra:
Add bus rapid transit lines
Improve bus service
Improve existing rail service and stations
Add infill MARTA rail stations
Expand the Atlanta Streetcar
My priority around public transit is to invest where it will have the biggest impact for the people who rely on it most. That’s why I rank adding bus rapid transit (BRT) lines first. BRT can be built fast, while delivering reliable, high-quality service that connects Atlantans—especially those pushed farther from the city center—to jobs, schools, and healthcare.
Second, I would improve bus service, because buses are the backbone of our system and the primary mode of travel for many working families and low-income residents. Expanding routes, frequency, and reliability is one of the most direct ways to improve daily life and access to opportunity. Third, I would improve existing rail service and stations, ensuring they are safe, accessible, and maintained with dignity for riders. Fourth and fifth are interchangeable for me because they are both representative of new projects that have been promised without a clear strategy of implementation.
My ranking does not mean they are not valuable. I believe both should happen expeditiously. But with limited dollars, and no plan, I would focus on the projects that move the most people and reduce inequities in mobility. My approach centers on equity, accountability, and delivering tangible results that restore trust in our city’s ability to get big projects done.
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?
Malhotra: I agree with the vision of the TrailsATL plan, but I do not believe that adding just 35 miles over the next 12 years is an acceptable pace. Atlantans deserve to see progress much sooner, and I would work to accelerate the first phase so that those improvements are completed on a shorter timeline. To make that possible, we need to identify new, dedicated funding streams, whether through bonding, public-private partnerships, or reallocating existing transportation dollars, to invest in safer, more connected trails and sidewalks. I would also push to align these investments with broader infrastructure projects so that when we repave or redesign streets, we are building in pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure at the same time.
Beyond the timeline, we must take steps to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians right now, including expanding protected bike lanes, creating well-lit and accessible crosswalks, lowering speed limits in dense corridors, and ensuring that every project centers equity so that historically underinvested in neighborhoods benefit from safe, people-friendly design. My goal is to make Atlanta a city where walking and biking are not only safe, but real, reliable options for daily travel.
Overstreet: With Atlanta’s rapid growth, a faster plan for bike and pedestrian trail expansion would certainly be ideal. Though, our city has long needed thoughtful, sustainable improvements, and the current plan reflects what is realistic given our current resources and without creating disruption or destabilization in the communities that will receive it. Too often, development in the past has overlooked the people who live, work, and play in these neighborhoods. I believe this approach is deliberate and community-focused, balancing available funding with intentional, responsible development.
On Council, I’ve already taken steps to improve safety through increased lighting, traffic tables, speed bumps, and protective barriers. I’ve also supported initiatives like the Empire Boulevard tactical bike and pedestrian lane, which enhances connectivity and safety for all users. These efforts reflect my commitment to a vision of Atlanta where transportation and public spaces are safe, equitable, and built with the people who call this city home at the center of the plan.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about pursuing more ambitious solutions, like piloting new mobility solutions along with investments to redesign corridors into complete streets. These solutions should be designed to make our roads safe and accessible for everyone—cyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and drivers alike.
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?
Overstreet: Atlanta is growing fast, and our public transit has to grow with it. We need a public transportation system and mobility infrastructure that meets the demands of a modern metropolis. That means affordable, safe, reliable, and accessible options for everyone—reliable MARTA service, light rail, buses, BRT, bike lanes, walking paths, multi-use trails, and innovative mobility solutions. Right now, our transit system doesn’t have the coverage, capacity, or connectivity that Atlantans deserve, and that affects daily life across neighborhoods.
As Council President, I will work to review our rail service and transit-oriented development opportunities. I will advocate for an increase in bus frequency and explore modern transit technology. I will push city transportation leaders to invest and develop safe, accessible trails that connect neighborhoods, parks, and commercial corridors.
Investing in transportation and public mobility solutions is about connecting communities, creating opportunities, and reducing congestion. By embracing human-scaled mobility that includes transit, trails, and multi-modal options, we strengthen the connective tissue that makes Atlanta unique. I am committed to a city where every resident can move safely, efficiently, and freely, whether they’re commuting to work, enjoying a trail, or using innovative mobility solutions.
Malhotra: My vision for the future of transit and mobility in Atlanta is a city where everyone—whether or not they own a car—has the freedom to move safely, affordably, and reliably to work, school, and the places that make up daily life. That means expanding high-quality transit options like bus rapid transit and reliable bus service, while also strengthening and expanding our rail system as a backbone of regional connectivity. We must invest in safe sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and trails to ensure our communities are walkable and accessible.
My vision is about creating a transportation ecosystem that offers opportunities for people to move around Atlanta in different ways—walking, taking a bus, riding a train, or driving—without creating more congestion. By rethinking our streets to be human-scaled and centering equity and accountability in how we spend transportation dollars, we can build a city where mobility is a civil right and every Atlantan has real, reliable choices in how they get around.
