Georgians divided on proposed Atlanta-to-Savannah rail line

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - People in downtown Savannah offered mixed opinions on a proposed intercity rail line connecting Atlanta and Savannah.

WTOC spoke with people near Forsyth Park after the Georgia Department of Transportation(GDOT) asked for people throughout the state to weigh in on a proposed intercity passenger rail corridor between Atlanta and Savannah through an online survey open through August 6.

Yigal Chandler, who supported the rail line, said he lived in Israel for 10 years and relied on trains and buses for transportation.

He said he did not own a car but recognized it’s a means of capability and freedom. But, he argued, having no car and relying on public transit, including a rail line like this, would create more freedom for people.

“Available, affordable, mass public transit is a very, very important thing to have in the developed world,” Chandler said. “I think you have a lot of people who, in a lot of situations, will actually find themselves with more freedom and capability.”

The last passenger rail service from Savannah to Atlanta was in 1971.

Chandler said a rail connection between the two cities made sense. Crediting Atlanta for its major airport and Savannah for its higher education and businesses. Including the growth surrounding the area.

“If anywhere in Georgia that needs to be connected by train, then it’s certainly Atlanta and Savannah,” he said. “Obviously, I’m talking about a population where almost every household has one family car.”

Natalie Camacho, who lived in Macon, said a rail line could help more people explore the state.

“When you go to Macon downtown, it’s really pretty too, I really appreciate it like it’s amazing,” Camacho said.

Not everyone was in favor. A couple from Atlanta said they would not use the line, though they said family members might. Visitors to Savannah from different states, including Illinois, said they would not factor a train trip into future vacations to the area.

Chandler also said the project would require more than survey participation to succeed, noting it would take a broader societal shift in attitudes toward public transportation, and that GDOT and its partners would need to demonstrate the line served a public good.

“If it becomes privatized, like a lot of things in America, you’re only going to see it become more expensive,” Chandler said. “Maybe I’m wrong about that. Hopefully, the population would show up and use it enough that it wouldn’t have to be so expensive.”