Poll shows Gwinnett County views MARTA more favorably

LAWRENCEVILLE - A poll commissioned by the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District shows two-thirds of Gwinnett County voters view MARTA favorably.

The study found that at least 20,000 people would ride the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority if it were extended to the Gwinnett Place mall area.

But the poll also found that Gwinnett County residents still don't want to pay more in sales taxes for rail service. Half of the people responding said they would support using the county's existing special purpose local option sales tax to pay for rapid transit. Most favored having rail in west and north Gwinnett County.

Voters have twice rejected rejected a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax hike to extend rail service into Gwinnett County.

Chuck Warbington is executive director of Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District. He says a study next month will examine the possibility of creating a light rail system would could connect to MARTA.