Darin Givens
@atlurbanist.bsky.social
ThreadATL cofounder, urbanism addict, web developer, neurologically-challenged cane walker
✡רָפָאֵל🪬
✡רָפָאֵל🪬
Reposted by Darin Givens
This video critique of the Atlanta Streetcar is getting a lot of views and comments. What are your thoughts about it?
One issue that doesn't get enough exposure in the video is land-use.
1/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OFS...
One issue that doesn't get enough exposure in the video is land-use.
1/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OFS...
Can Atlanta's Awful Streetcar Be Fixed?
YouTube video by Classy Whale
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:45 AM
This video critique of the Atlanta Streetcar is getting a lot of views and comments. What are your thoughts about it?
One issue that doesn't get enough exposure in the video is land-use.
1/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OFS...
One issue that doesn't get enough exposure in the video is land-use.
1/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OFS...
Sunset colors on a giant parking deck. Seen while waiting for a bus at Civic Center MARTA Station this evening. Dear God, let me live long enough to see this parking deck come down and see rail-appropriate development replace it. Thanks and amen.
November 27, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Sunset colors on a giant parking deck. Seen while waiting for a bus at Civic Center MARTA Station this evening. Dear God, let me live long enough to see this parking deck come down and see rail-appropriate development replace it. Thanks and amen.
In case you're shopping for places to donate some money for end-of-year giving, with an Atlanta focus, I recommend Propel ATL. They do good work with promoting safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone really.
www.letspropelatl.org/donate
www.letspropelatl.org/donate
Propel ATL
Transforming Atlanta’s streets into safe, inclusive, and thriving spaces for people to ride, walk, and roll.
www.letspropelatl.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:39 AM
In case you're shopping for places to donate some money for end-of-year giving, with an Atlanta focus, I recommend Propel ATL. They do good work with promoting safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone really.
www.letspropelatl.org/donate
www.letspropelatl.org/donate
Woah, only 1.3 percent of vehicles in GA are electric 😲
the answer is about 1.3%!
eservices.drives.ga.gov/_/#1
follow the link at the bottom "View County Registration Statistics"
As of November 24, 2025, there are 10893077 registered vehicles in Georgia. 144787 of these vehicles are electric.
eservices.drives.ga.gov/_/#1
follow the link at the bottom "View County Registration Statistics"
As of November 24, 2025, there are 10893077 registered vehicles in Georgia. 144787 of these vehicles are electric.
e-Services
Titles, Registrations,
License Plates, and Insurance
eservices.drives.ga.gov
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Woah, only 1.3 percent of vehicles in GA are electric 😲
I think the Eastside Beltline and the businesses alongside it would benefit from the weatherproof connectivity of a train. It's pretty empty in rainy weather.
November 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I think the Eastside Beltline and the businesses alongside it would benefit from the weatherproof connectivity of a train. It's pretty empty in rainy weather.
Dallas Street in Old Fourth Ward, facing east. What used to be here as late as 2007: kudzu and weedy lots. Now it's a beautiful park surrounded by development.
This is exactly the kind of growth we should support with rail transit, especially as similar growth happens elsewhere on the ATL Beltline.
This is exactly the kind of growth we should support with rail transit, especially as similar growth happens elsewhere on the ATL Beltline.
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Dallas Street in Old Fourth Ward, facing east. What used to be here as late as 2007: kudzu and weedy lots. Now it's a beautiful park surrounded by development.
This is exactly the kind of growth we should support with rail transit, especially as similar growth happens elsewhere on the ATL Beltline.
This is exactly the kind of growth we should support with rail transit, especially as similar growth happens elsewhere on the ATL Beltline.
The experience of being a pedestrian on Atlanta streets -- especially ones that connect to MARTA -- needs a lot of work. But when I'm riding the train, I get to take a break from those issues and just enjoy the view.
Atlanta looks great from a train window.
Atlanta looks great from a train window.
November 24, 2025 at 3:34 AM
The experience of being a pedestrian on Atlanta streets -- especially ones that connect to MARTA -- needs a lot of work. But when I'm riding the train, I get to take a break from those issues and just enjoy the view.
Atlanta looks great from a train window.
Atlanta looks great from a train window.
"Ridership has got to improve...We have the ability to run our trains every 90 seconds (at peak times, MARTA trains run about every eight minutes)."
This 2011 quote from former MARTA CEO Beverly Scott echos in my brain. 90 seconds! Imagine it.
saportareport.com/a-deep-dive-...
This 2011 quote from former MARTA CEO Beverly Scott echos in my brain. 90 seconds! Imagine it.
saportareport.com/a-deep-dive-...
A deep dive audit of MARTA's operations offers great potential for metro Atlanta - SaportaReport
Read A deep dive audit of MARTA's operations offers great potential for metro Atlanta by Maria Saporta for SaportaReport here.
saportareport.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:21 AM
"Ridership has got to improve...We have the ability to run our trains every 90 seconds (at peak times, MARTA trains run about every eight minutes)."
This 2011 quote from former MARTA CEO Beverly Scott echos in my brain. 90 seconds! Imagine it.
saportareport.com/a-deep-dive-...
This 2011 quote from former MARTA CEO Beverly Scott echos in my brain. 90 seconds! Imagine it.
saportareport.com/a-deep-dive-...
"Cumberland Sweep: a 3-mile project envisioned with a multi-use path and dedicated lanes for autonomous shuttles"
Attention, Beltline-rail haters who prefer AV shuttles: your dream might be coming true in the suburbs.
Attention, Beltline-rail haters who prefer AV shuttles: your dream might be coming true in the suburbs.
November 20, 2025 at 9:57 PM
"Cumberland Sweep: a 3-mile project envisioned with a multi-use path and dedicated lanes for autonomous shuttles"
Attention, Beltline-rail haters who prefer AV shuttles: your dream might be coming true in the suburbs.
Attention, Beltline-rail haters who prefer AV shuttles: your dream might be coming true in the suburbs.
MARTA was awarded over $20 million this week through an FTA grant to replace some older, end-of-life buses with new ones.
This is good news, and it will be a nice compliment to the new bus system that supposedly rolls out next April.
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/gran...
This is good news, and it will be a nice compliment to the new bus system that supposedly rolls out next April.
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/gran...
www.transit.dot.gov
November 20, 2025 at 9:46 PM
MARTA was awarded over $20 million this week through an FTA grant to replace some older, end-of-life buses with new ones.
This is good news, and it will be a nice compliment to the new bus system that supposedly rolls out next April.
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/gran...
This is good news, and it will be a nice compliment to the new bus system that supposedly rolls out next April.
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/gran...
Just because a street has sidewalks, that doesn't automatically make it a nice place to walk.
This is in Downtown Atlanta. I guess it's "walkable" but why would you want to? Truly walkable places need the presence of great land use & the absence of car-oriented sludge.
This is in Downtown Atlanta. I guess it's "walkable" but why would you want to? Truly walkable places need the presence of great land use & the absence of car-oriented sludge.
November 17, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Just because a street has sidewalks, that doesn't automatically make it a nice place to walk.
This is in Downtown Atlanta. I guess it's "walkable" but why would you want to? Truly walkable places need the presence of great land use & the absence of car-oriented sludge.
This is in Downtown Atlanta. I guess it's "walkable" but why would you want to? Truly walkable places need the presence of great land use & the absence of car-oriented sludge.
Peachtree Street this evening, as seen from the window of an in-motion MARTA bus. I love looking at the city from a bus window, especially at night. Atlanta needs to fall in love with buses, IMO. That's a recipe for urban success.
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Peachtree Street this evening, as seen from the window of an in-motion MARTA bus. I love looking at the city from a bus window, especially at night. Atlanta needs to fall in love with buses, IMO. That's a recipe for urban success.
I honestly don't know -- maybe this is par for the course with transit in cities. Maybe Atlanta's situation is normal.
But it certainly *feels* weird to me when a 1.6 mile trip in Midtown takes the same amount of time to walk as it does to ride transit.
Perhaps I expect too much.
But it certainly *feels* weird to me when a 1.6 mile trip in Midtown takes the same amount of time to walk as it does to ride transit.
Perhaps I expect too much.
November 14, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I honestly don't know -- maybe this is par for the course with transit in cities. Maybe Atlanta's situation is normal.
But it certainly *feels* weird to me when a 1.6 mile trip in Midtown takes the same amount of time to walk as it does to ride transit.
Perhaps I expect too much.
But it certainly *feels* weird to me when a 1.6 mile trip in Midtown takes the same amount of time to walk as it does to ride transit.
Perhaps I expect too much.
This beautiful image features a train going past buildings that have stores at the bottom, with trees and other greenery nearby, and with people walking on a path alongside the tracks (and public seating too!). 😍
Atlanta can do this.
(Source: www.modacitylife.com)
Atlanta can do this.
(Source: www.modacitylife.com)
November 14, 2025 at 9:34 PM
This beautiful image features a train going past buildings that have stores at the bottom, with trees and other greenery nearby, and with people walking on a path alongside the tracks (and public seating too!). 😍
Atlanta can do this.
(Source: www.modacitylife.com)
Atlanta can do this.
(Source: www.modacitylife.com)
I want a world where we could reasonably expect a headline:
"Georgia governor considers corporate tax hike to fund big ideas from Atlanta mayor."
Make that world happen.
"Georgia governor considers corporate tax hike to fund big ideas from Atlanta mayor."
Make that world happen.
INBOX: Bloomberg reports that New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering raising corporate taxes as part of broader efforts to close a potential budget shortfall and help fund some of Zohran Mamdani’s agenda as New York City mayor.
NY Governor Weighs Corporate Tax Hike to Help Fund Mamdani Plans
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering raising corporate taxes as part of broader efforts to close a potential budget shortfall and help fund some of Zohran Mamdani’s agenda as New York City ma...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I want a world where we could reasonably expect a headline:
"Georgia governor considers corporate tax hike to fund big ideas from Atlanta mayor."
Make that world happen.
"Georgia governor considers corporate tax hike to fund big ideas from Atlanta mayor."
Make that world happen.
“I really want Gwinnett & Cobb to start thinking about what it would look like to have public transit in their communities that is connected to the city"
Says a mayor who's turned Eastside Beltline rail into a political football.
Says a mayor who's turned Eastside Beltline rail into a political football.
If I was the mayor of Atlanta, the poster child for ineffective governance and inability to get voter-approved transportation projects built, I might focus on getting shit built in my own city before making promises about getting my neighbors to follow suit.
November 13, 2025 at 11:21 PM
“I really want Gwinnett & Cobb to start thinking about what it would look like to have public transit in their communities that is connected to the city"
Says a mayor who's turned Eastside Beltline rail into a political football.
Says a mayor who's turned Eastside Beltline rail into a political football.
Reposted by Darin Givens
Another story of on-demand transit (or "microtransit") hype. The cute and responsive technology works in a tiny rural town, so they propose to do it in the big city, where it will be overwhelmed. Big cities need big transit, not these distractions.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
November 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Another story of on-demand transit (or "microtransit") hype. The cute and responsive technology works in a tiny rural town, so they propose to do it in the big city, where it will be overwhelmed. Big cities need big transit, not these distractions.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
I'm happy to see the redesign of the Jackson Street Bridge coming together at last! It's been several years in the making.
There's a post that prevents cars from entering the new two-way bike path, and several parking spaces are here to lure photographers from parking in the bike lane.
1/2
There's a post that prevents cars from entering the new two-way bike path, and several parking spaces are here to lure photographers from parking in the bike lane.
1/2
November 13, 2025 at 4:50 AM
I'm happy to see the redesign of the Jackson Street Bridge coming together at last! It's been several years in the making.
There's a post that prevents cars from entering the new two-way bike path, and several parking spaces are here to lure photographers from parking in the bike lane.
1/2
There's a post that prevents cars from entering the new two-way bike path, and several parking spaces are here to lure photographers from parking in the bike lane.
1/2
Nice! This section of the 5th Street bike lane has been closed for many months due to construction for a new building. It's good to see it back. I stood here for a minute and saw several people using it.
November 12, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Nice! This section of the 5th Street bike lane has been closed for many months due to construction for a new building. It's good to see it back. I stood here for a minute and saw several people using it.
Reposted by Darin Givens
Remember all the hype about how Uber and Lyft would allow people to live car-free?
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
November 12, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Remember all the hype about how Uber and Lyft would allow people to live car-free?
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
On average, about 340 U.S. flights get canceled per day.
But this Sunday, over 2,200 were canceled, and the increase is due to the government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has been unaffected by the shutdown because it makes enough money from ticket revenue.
Build more train lines, please.
But this Sunday, over 2,200 were canceled, and the increase is due to the government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has been unaffected by the shutdown because it makes enough money from ticket revenue.
Build more train lines, please.
November 10, 2025 at 5:23 AM
On average, about 340 U.S. flights get canceled per day.
But this Sunday, over 2,200 were canceled, and the increase is due to the government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has been unaffected by the shutdown because it makes enough money from ticket revenue.
Build more train lines, please.
But this Sunday, over 2,200 were canceled, and the increase is due to the government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has been unaffected by the shutdown because it makes enough money from ticket revenue.
Build more train lines, please.
Reposted by Darin Givens
The Transit Guy has an excellent post about the success of the Plane Train inside Atlanta's airport. This is the train system that takes passengers to and from terminals.
By ridership, it's one of the 15 busiest train systems in the nation!
1/
thetransitguy.substack.com/p/the-busies...
By ridership, it's one of the 15 busiest train systems in the nation!
1/
thetransitguy.substack.com/p/the-busies...
The Busiest “Rail Line” You’ve Never Heard Of Is In the Suburbs of Atlanta
Atlanta’s 2.8-mile Plane Train quietly moves more people each day than most American transit systems, and might be the most efficient rail line in the Western Hemisphere.
thetransitguy.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The Transit Guy has an excellent post about the success of the Plane Train inside Atlanta's airport. This is the train system that takes passengers to and from terminals.
By ridership, it's one of the 15 busiest train systems in the nation!
1/
thetransitguy.substack.com/p/the-busies...
By ridership, it's one of the 15 busiest train systems in the nation!
1/
thetransitguy.substack.com/p/the-busies...
I'm sorry that 24 yr-old Sam Foster lost the Marietta mayoral race but it's honestly encouraging that he only lost by 87 votes!! Foster campaigned on affordable housing, reliable buses, bike infrastructure & walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. 🙏 Bless you
www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/11/05/d...
www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/11/05/d...
Longtime Marietta mayor keeps seat from 24-year-old challenger
Sam Foster is 54 years younger than incumbent Steve “Thunder” Tumlin.
www.atlantanewsfirst.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I'm sorry that 24 yr-old Sam Foster lost the Marietta mayoral race but it's honestly encouraging that he only lost by 87 votes!! Foster campaigned on affordable housing, reliable buses, bike infrastructure & walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. 🙏 Bless you
www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/11/05/d...
www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/11/05/d...
Reposted by Darin Givens
Tim Echols lost reelection for Georgia Public Service Commission because voters think he works for the power company instead of the public. He just sent an email to his supporters saying he’s going to go on vacation for the remainder of his term. Public service indeed.
Shoutout to @tiamitchell.com for flagging this email from the now out-going, veteran Georgia utility regulator Tim Echols, who announced in an email he is leaving the Public Service Commission immediately and taking a sabbatical
November 5, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Tim Echols lost reelection for Georgia Public Service Commission because voters think he works for the power company instead of the public. He just sent an email to his supporters saying he’s going to go on vacation for the remainder of his term. Public service indeed.
I was very happy to vote for Jacob Chambers for my District 2 Council rep, and for Rohit Malhotra for Council President, and Juan Mendoza for Post 1! Let's gooooo!
(For mayor, I wrote in "stop cop city" because what else was I gonna do)
(For mayor, I wrote in "stop cop city" because what else was I gonna do)
November 4, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I was very happy to vote for Jacob Chambers for my District 2 Council rep, and for Rohit Malhotra for Council President, and Juan Mendoza for Post 1! Let's gooooo!
(For mayor, I wrote in "stop cop city" because what else was I gonna do)
(For mayor, I wrote in "stop cop city" because what else was I gonna do)