The Atlanta City Council voted 9-2 on Monday to provide $1 million a year in startup, operational and maintenance costs for the Atlanta Streetcar. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the vote came with trepidation by some council members, who fear the streetcar costs will run up the city’s deficit.
A $47 million federal grant is financing almost half of the $100 million streetcar, but the project also will rely on funding from the city, particularly during the startup phase, and passenger fares. The city’s share of the money will come from hotel-motel tax revenues and rental car fees.
The council also voted 9-1 to charge riders $1 per one-way trip.
The streetcar, which will make a 2.7 mile loop from Centennial Olympic Park to the King Center, was originally slated to begin service in the spring, but has now been pushed back to November.
