Connect Emeralde Transit Plan

''Update: On March 19th, Emeralde County's Transit Referendum failed by 49% Yes and 51% No, being the third time the referendum has failed. Support was the strongest around UIF-632 Beltway, and the weakest around the northern part of the county, in the Magnolia and Sakura areas. Emeralde County remains the largest county in Greater Aelholt to not be connected to the AMTA System.''

The Connect Emeralde plan is an outline to potentially connect Emeralde County to the greater Aelholt transit system AMTA. The Emeralde County commissioners have requested a special referendum in regards to expanding transit services to Emeralde County. The referendum asks citizens: "Emeralde County has executed a contract for the provision of transit services via A.M.T.A (Aelholt Metropolitan Transit Authority). Shall this contract be approved?"

If voters approve this plan, Emeralde County will be the next county to join the AMTA system. The current AMTA system consists of: Orion County, Aelholt-Valhaven County, Lithia County, and DeBebo County. DeBebo county was the last county to join, winning by a significant margin.

Some are skeptical if the vote will sucseed. Emeralde County has had two referendums in the past with regards to joining AMTA, and both times have previously failed. Proponents say that jobs and values will increase, while opponents say it will bring crime and mismanagement to the county. Emeralde County is the second biggest county in the U.I.F and is on track to becoming the most populous within the next couple of years. It's also the county with the most Small Routes/SRs.

Emeralde County has been historically conservative but has tremendously changed since the last two referendums, becoming more liberal and diverse. Support is strongest inside the UIF-632 corridor, and is weakest in the Magnolia / Up North area. Emeralde County is the only county in Metro Aelholt not connected to AMTA.

As of now, Emeralde County has a limited funded express bus system, called emWay. It offers limited routes from various areas in Emeralde County to Aelholt. Some routes include: Romaine City to Downtown Aelholt, Magnolia to Romaine City, Sakura to Downtown Aelholt, and Windsong to Romaine City.