The state of Georgia, the US Department of Transportation and the Unified Government have been working on the development of Commuter Rail for the Athens region. The preliminary concept calls for the development of a commuter rail line between Athens and Atlanta. The federal and state governments have allocated resources to study this route along with other routes in the state.
The commuter rail route in Athens-Clarke County is planned to be on or adjacent to the existing CSX rail line that travels west from downtown Athens. The Georgia Rail Passenger Authority (GRPA) is currently coordinating rail planning along the corridor between Athens and Atlanta.
Currently under construction, the Multi-Modal Transportation Center will include facilities for both the University of Georgia and Athens-Clarke County transit systems and will also have a connection to the Rail-Trail corridor. The Multi-Modal Transportation Center is scheduled to be open March 2006.