So far, Fayette has declined money for capital improvements

Over the next five years, Fayette County could get $1.7 million in funding for capital improvements for transit needs.

Historically, however, the county government has rebuffed the funds in part because officials don’t want to start up a public transit program. The funds can’t be used for operating costs, according to Cain Williamson of the Atlanta Regional Commission.

If the county declines funds for 2007, they will go back into the regional kitty to be divided among participating counties and MARTA, the agency that provides rail and bus service in Atlanta.

The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority runs an express bus program that has recently been adopted by Coweta County. Coweta’s system has buses that leave every half hour in the morning and afternoon drive times to and from the Georgian 14 Cinema in Newnan, stopping at the 5 Points and Civic Center MARTA stations.

An Xpress fare, at $3 one way, includes a free transfer to the MARTA system, and on the way back the $1.75 MARTA fare includes a free transfer back onto the Xpress system.