District 4 election - Councilmember Jason Dozier on transit
District 4 Councilmember Jason Dozier
Incumbent District 4 Councilmember Jason Dozier handily beat an incumbent to win his seat in 2021. This time around, he faces an underfunded opponent who has never won elective office. Still, Dozier took the time to share his positions on transit and mobility with the public by answering Better Atlanta Transit’s questionnaire on the topic.
But first a bit about the district: The Fourth extends west and south of Midtown and downtown into the Atlanta University campuses, Adair Park, Pekerson Park and the West End. The mean per capita income in the District is the second lowest in the city (out of 12), and its residents are heavily dependent on transit. (For more on district data click here.)
This is one of seven Q&As with Council candidates that we’re publishing in advance of early voting (Oct. 14-31). 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. Deborah “Sister” Williams, Dozier’s sole opponent, didn’t respond to attempts to reach her.
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?
Jason Dozier: Atlanta's transportation system should put people first. I've championed Vision Zero principles citywide and in District 4 by advancing protected bike lanes, speed-management, Safe Routes to School plans, and targeted right-turn-on-red restrictions in high-injury areas. I support building complete streets that calm traffic, shorten crossings, and make it safer to walk, roll, and bike. I've also pressed for faster project delivery by strengthening ATLDOT staffing and partnering with CIDs where appropriate.
Yes, we are seeing progress. ATLDOT has begun delivering more curb-management tools, leading pedestrian intervals, speed humps, and protected facilities. MARTA's focus on better bus frequency and reliability, along with bus-priority treatments and BRT investments, is the fastest way to give people options right now. Federal programs like Safe Streets for All are bringing new federal dollars to corridors in Mechanicsville, Downtown, and beyond. These efforts are starting to bend the curve toward safer, more walkable neighborhoods.
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
Dozier
1) Improve bus service. The fastest, most equitable way to improve mobility is through better buses. More frequent service, dedicated lanes, improved stops, and all-door boarding can transform daily commutes. This is primarily a MARTA responsibility, with support from federal operating funds.
2) Add BRT lines. BRT delivers rail-like service at a fraction of the cost, especially along corridors with high demand. Federal Capital Investment Grants and RAISE funding can help accelerate these projects.
3) Improve existing rail and stations. Our rail system must remain reliable and accessible. Modernizing stations, improving lighting, signage, and accessibility, and strengthening transfers are essential.
4) Add infill rail stations. Where density and ridership potential are high, infill stations are a smart investment. They should be paired with affordable housing policies to prevent displacement.
5) Expand the Streetcar. I support expansion because it has the potential to knit together key corridors and neighborhoods, particularly when tied to BeltLine transit. My reticence is not about the concept but about the high costs and slow delivery timelines. To move forward, we need strong value capture mechanisms, redevelopment partnerships, and clear community benefits.
Please keep in mind that for me, these priorities aren't mutually exclusive. Each taps into its own funding sources (whether it's MARTA's sales tax revenue, federal transit grants, TSPLOST allocations, or public-private partnerships) and when advanced together, they build a stronger, more interconnected system. My vision is for all these modes to reinforce each other, with transit on the BeltLine serving as a backbone for linking bus, BRT, rail, and trails into one seamless network.
By treating each of these as complementary rather than competitive, and by centering BeltLine transit as a unifying connector, we can deliver a robust multimodal network that truly reduces car dependence and builds a people-first Atlanta.
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?
Dozier: The TrailsATL plan is an exciting vision, but I believe the current pace is far too slow for the scale of need we face today. Trails and protected bike lanes are core pieces of our city's transportation network, connecting people to schools, jobs, and transit. We have to treat them that way if we want to build a safer, more accessible Atlanta.
My approach is to recognize that these investments are not mutually exclusive with our other transit priorities. Just as we must improve bus service and expand BRT, we must also accelerate trail and bike infrastructure. Each of these priorities has its own dedicated funding opportunities, and when pursued together, they can reinforce one another to create a truly multimodal system. To shorten the timeline, I would pursue quick-build designs for bike lanes and interim trails that can later be hardened, while also bundling projects to speed up procurement and construction. We must grow ATLDOT's project management capacity to deliver more quickly and align new trail buildout with zoning reforms, so that new housing, jobs, and schools are always within safe walking and biking distance.
At the same time, safety has to be at the center of this work. That means daylighting intersections, adding protected crossings, lowering speeds on neighborhood streets, and ensuring curb management so delivery trucks and ride-hail vehicles don't block bike lanes or crosswalks.
By accelerating TrailsATL and embedding safety into every design decision, we can ensure that walking and biking are not only viable ways to get around but also safe, dignified, and central to Atlanta's future mobility.
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?
Dozier: My vision for Atlanta's future is a city that is less car-dependent and truly human-scaled. That means reimagining our transportation system so people have safe, reliable, and affordable options for every trip, whether by bus, train, bike, or foot. We should be working toward a 15-minute city, where daily needs can be met close to home and families can travel without feeling like the car is their only choice.
A core part of this vision is building a transit system that prioritizes frequency and reliability. Our bus network already carries more riders than rail, and we must invest in increasing service, reducing headways, and ensuring that riders have the amenities and safety they deserve. Adding bus rapid transit along major corridors will provide rail-like service at a fraction of the cost, helping us reach new communities more quickly while also complementing existing rail service. At the same time, we cannot neglect MARTA's rail system. Improving stations, transfers, and accessibility is critical to sustaining ridership and ensuring the backbone of the system remains strong. Transit on the BeltLine will tie these elements together, connecting buses, BRT, rail, and trails into one seamless network that makes it easier for Atlantans to move throughout the city.
Alongside transit, we must build a protected network of bike lanes and multi-use trails that connect directly to schools, parks, commercial districts, and transit hubs. TrailsATL and the BeltLine are proof that these facilities are not just recreational amenities but vital transportation infrastructure. Delivering them faster and more comprehensively will ensure that biking and walking are safe and viable options for more families.
Safe streets must also be a central part of this work. That means narrowing lanes, shortening crossings, building protected intersections, and reducing speeds so that pedestrians and cyclists are not put in harm's way. Better curb management, with smart loading zones, designated pick-up and drop-off areas, and pricing where appropriate, will reduce congestion and keep crosswalks and bike lanes clear. Parking reforms and unbundling parking from housing costs will further encourage alternatives to driving.
Finally, mobility is inseparable from housing. We need more affordable homes near frequent transit so that longtime residents and working families can remain in their communities while benefiting from new investments. Transit-oriented development, paired with inclusionary zoning and affordability requirements, ensures that the growth we are driving is equitable and sustainable. By weaving together frequent transit, safe and connected bike and pedestrian networks, redesigned streets, curb reforms, and equitable housing, Atlanta can truly become a city where mobility is not a barrier but a bridge, giving every resident the freedom to move safely, affordably, and with dignity.
