Mass

transit buses rolling through Coweta County could be a

possible scenario to help alleviate the traffic problems

choking the metro area.

That's the

word according to Georgia Regional Transportation

Authority media director Charles Walston.

While the

authority has not offered funds to Coweta County to start

a bus system like the authority has done to Clayton

County, Walston said Coweta County is part of the region

that has to deal with alleviating traffic jams and

cleaning up the air.

In the last

two weeks, GRTA announced it would provide $4 million in

start-up funds to help Clayton County start a bus system.

The system

would be administered by MARTA, but Walston said Clayton

officials are looking at naming the bus system the

Southern Crescent Transportation System.

If the

system is approved by the Clayton County Commission and

starts operating, Coweta could play a role in the new

transportation system.

"By

naming it Southern Crescent, Clayton officials are

looking at possibly branching out to Henry and Fayette

counties. Coweta could also possibly fit into the

mix," Walston said.

Another

scenario that could see buses in the county is the

construction of commuter rail lines. Within the next four

years, lines from Atlanta to Athens and Atlanta to Macon

will be up and running. When rail stations are built,

Walston said you also need park and ride lots and buses

to get the commuters to the station.

"We

look at all possible scenarios as pieces in a puzzle.

Coweta County is definitely part of the big regional

picture," he said.

<!--

-----------