Transit Referendum’s Potential Impact on Sugarloaf Area
The November 5, 2024 General Election ballot will contain a referendum that asks voters if they would like to fund transit projects in Gwinnett County through a dedicated 1% sales tax. This additional sales tax is known as a Transit Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax or Transit SPLOST. The referendum does not include any MARTA or heavy rail.
The planned transit expansion will have a major impact on the Sugarloaf area. Expanding and enhancing transit ensures that everyone can get to and from their jobs, events, and errands throughout the county. With robust event, conference, hotel, and other tourism industries, visitors would also pay this additional sales tax as they purchase goods and some services within the county’s jurisdiction; so all who use transit options would help contribute to these improvements.
The referendum includes enhancements to existing bus services, like local county bus lines, and also the introduction of new high-capacity service.
Imagery Source: Gwinnett County Government
A Few Key Improvements and What They Mean
Rapid Ride
This high-capacity service, also known as Bus Rapid Transit, includes dedicated lanes that would connect the Sugarloaf area to other Gwinnett destinations, the in-progress Lawrenceville Transit Transfer Facility, and the existing Doraville MARTA station. A proposed transit transfer station at Sugarloaf Mills Mall area means that anyone can hop on a regular County Ride or form of bus rapid transit (Rapid and Quick rides) from the proposed station at Sugarloaf Mills.
Quick Ride
High-frequency service, also referred to as bus rapid transit lite, is a high-frequency service that will move more people quickly with bus priority improvements that can take passengers from Sugarloaf Mills to places like downtown Norcross, Gwinnett Place Mall, and Suwanee Town Center.
County Ride
The enhanced, fixed-route local bus routes would stop at more places along Sugarloaf Parkway, so you can more easily visit attractions like the Gas South District, Maison645 Event Center, and Sugarloaf Mills Mall.
Airport Ride
Going to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport? The airport shuttle departs from the Mall of Georgia and stops at the proposed Sugarloaf Mills Transit Transfer Facility.
Shared Ride (Microtransit)
An app-based on-demand service that helps riders complete their “first and last” miles of transit, where other transit may not reach. If approved, the Sugarloaf Zone would be covered with microtransit service in 2027. Eventually, the goal is that 100% of Gwinnett County would have microtransit by 2033.
