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Archived News & Announcements

Take MARTA To RaceTown Atlanta October 28-29

Bus Reroutes Saturday October 22, 2005

Public Hearings for Proposed Service Modification Plan for December 2005

Improvements Being Made at Decatur Station

This Fall MARTA Can Get You To All The Games!

Temporary Bus-Reroutes Downtown for Atlanta Football Classic Parade

Temporary Bus-Reroutes Downtown for Kaiser Permanente Corporate 5K Run/Walk

MARTA Testing Rail Cars During Service Hours

Citizens Police Academy Now Enrolling!

Take MARTA to The Montruex Jazz Festival September 2-4

Changes to City Center Parking Deck at Lindbergh Center Station

MARTA Response to Events in London

MARTA FY06 Operating and Capital Budget Fact Sheet

Five Points Station Plaza Level Floor Renovation

MARTA To Supply Extra Bus Service for Atlanta Pride Events

MARTA Kicks Off Braves Shuttle For 2005 Season

Transfers Required at Lakewood/Fort McPherson Station

Citizens Police Academy Now Enrolling!

Temporary Bus Re-routing on New Year's Eve

MARTA Holiday Airport Travel Schedule

MARTA Now Accepts Credit Cards for Long-Term Parking

MARTA Operator Takes 1st in APTA Competition

New Express Exit at Doraville Station

MARTA Introduces New Small Bus Fleet

Service Changes Effective October 2, 2004

SkyRadio Interview with GM/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr.

Public Meeting For Route 132 Rescheduled for October 21, 2004

APTA Annual Meeting

MARTA Media Contact Information

MARTA Welcomes New Board Members

“Fall” Into Sports On MARTA

Chief Dunham Named Chair of Atlanta Metropol

MARTA Names Baker Director of Communications

Community Safety Expo

MARTA To Single-Track October 2, 2004

MARTA To Single-Track Sept. 18-20 and Sept. 25-27

MARTA To Single-Track Sept. 11-13

MARTA Sponsors Voter Registration Drive

MARTA To Single-Track Sept. 4 & 5

Sunday Bus & Rail Schedule on Labor Day

MARTA To Single-Track August 28 & 29

MARTA Names Hudson Director of Labor Relations

MARTA's Wilson Awarded Outstanding Chief of the Year

MARTA Police K-9 Unit Provides Security at Democratic National Covention

MARTA's Ford, Willie Honored at COMTO Conference

MARTA Names Scott Smith Director of Government & Community Relations

MARTA Police To Hold Citizen's Police Academy Aug 24

If you've ever wanted to view MARTA through the eyes of a police officer, your opportunity is approaching. The next MARTA Citizen's Police Academy will begin Tuesday, Aug. 24 and will continue on Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. through Oct. 26. The sole class that will not be held on a Tuesday evening is a Saturday class devoted to handling firearms.

Class participants will learn about the function of a patrol, criminal law and investigations, the use of force and the prevention of crime. All Academy applicants must be at least 21 years old and must submit to a check of criminal and driving histories.

Questions about the Academy should be directed to 404-848-3671. Deadline for submitting an application to the Academy is Friday, Aug. 6.

To find out more, visit the MARTA Citizen's Police Academy section.

Up-Close Paid Parking Program To End July 20

Effective Tuesday, July 20, MARTA and Lanier Parking Services, Inc. will discontinue the Up-Close Paid Parking program that has been underway at four rail stations for the past six months.

Up-Close Parking has been offered at College Park, Hamilton E. Holmes, Indian Creek and North Springs stations. Those spaces that were reserved for Up-Close Parking at each station will revert to daily and/or long-term parking.

For more information, call MARTA’s Customer Service Center at 404-848-4800, Customer Information at 404-848-4711 or visit www.itsmarta.com.

National Black Arts Festival Set for July 16-25

The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF), one of the largest celebrations of arts and artists of African descent in the nation, will take place July 16-25 at a variety of venues throughout Atlanta. Events are scheduled at the Woodruff Arts Center, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site and more.

The 2004 Festival spotlights two featured programs: Sister Fire and Next Generation. Sister Fire recognizes the known and unknown "sheroes" - phenomenal women whose pioneering spirits, stellar achievements and creative influences have impacted art and culture in significant ways.

Next Generation features tomorrow's legends—performers and artists creating innovative work using unconventional methods.

For more information about the NBAF and a complete schedule of events, visit the Festival's web site at www.nbaf.org. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling Ticketmaster at 404-249-6400.

Many of the events during the NBAF are accessible via MARTA's rail line, particularly those at Woodruff Arts Center and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. Others may be accessed via bus. Call MARTA's Customer Information line at 404-848-4711 for more information.

JUNE 28, 2004
MARTA READIES FOR BUSY 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY

ATLANTA—MARTA is prepared to accommodate thousands of patrons attending the Peachtree Road Race, WSB-TV’s Salute2America Parade, the Lenox Square Fireworks, the Braves vs. Boston Red Sox, and Centennial Park festivities for the 4th of July holiday.

MARTA is increasing personnel to include police, bus and train operators, station services, fare collectors and buildings & ground maintenance. On Sunday, July 4, buses will operate on MARTA’s holiday schedule (6 a.m. until 12:30 a.m.) and trains will run from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. every 10 minutes, with Doraville and North Springs trains continuing to Airport Station. On Monday, July 5, buses will continue to operate on MARTA’s holiday schedule and trains will operate on MARTA’s holiday schedule every 15 minutes.

For the Salute2America Parade and Peachtree Road Race, MARTA buses will be rerouted and additional buses will be on standby at Midtown Station at the conclusion of the race. For the Braves game, MARTA’s Braves shuttle will depart from Five Points Station’s Underground/World of Coca-Cola location two hours before the game and will end one hour after the game.

MARTA’s best advice for those planning to attend any of the events is to start at least an hour earlier than normal in order to beat the crowds. MARTA is also asking patrons to purchase tokens in advance or bring exact change of $1.75 for the one-way fare. Listed below are the stations riders should go to for the various venues:

PEACHTREE ROAD RACE
Start of Race: Lenox Station
End of Race: Midtown or Arts Center Station
Fifty-five thousand people will run in this, the world's largest, 10k race, beginning from Lenox Square at 7:30am. For information, call the Atlanta Track Club at 404-231-9065, or visit www.atlantatrackclub.org.

BRAVES VS BOSTON RED SOX
Five Points Station/Underground/World of Coke
MARTA Braves Shuttle to Turner Field or Georgia State Station/ Walk to Turner Field

SALUTE 2 AMERICA PARADE
Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center, Five Points or Peachtree Center Station
WSB-TV/Channel 2 will celebrate the Fourth of July with its annual WSB-TV Salute 2 America Parade, which this year will feature several special guests, including Channel 2 Action News Anchor John Pruitt as grand marshal and Miss America Ericka Dunlap. The parade will start at 1 p.m. in downtown Atlanta at Peachtree and Baker streets in front of the Sun Trust building in downtown Atlanta before proceeding down Peachtree to Marietta Street before turning right and then going to Centennial Olympic Park Drive, where it ends. The parade will feature celebrities, an array of floats, bands and fun for both kids and adults. For more information, visit www.wsbtv.com/station/2273287/detail.html.

CENTENNIAL PARK FESTIVAL/FIREWORKS
Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center or Peachtree Center Station

LENOX FIREWORKS
Lenox or Buckhead Station

PIED PIPER PARADE
The City of Decatur will hold its annual July 4th Pied Piper Parade downtown, beginning at 6 p.m. After the parade, there will be a special Concert on Square led by the Callanwolde Concert Band, performing a variety of patriotic classics and Broadway tunes. The event will culminate with a fireworks display. Call 404-371-9583 for more information. Take MARTA to Decatur Station to access the holiday events.

LENOX SQUARE MALL CELEBRATION
Put on your red, white and blue as AirTran Airways celebrates the 4th of July at Lenox Square Mall. Activities for the whole family begin at noon inside the mall. Live musical entertainment begins at 5 p.m. in front of Lenox Square's main entrance on Peachtree Road. The largest fireworks display in the southeast begins at approximately 9:40 p.m. Call 404-233-6767 or visit www.lenoxsquare.com for more information. Take MARTA to Lenox Station for the mall events.

JULY 4th SURF & SAND SPECTACULAR
At Callaway Gardens. The celebration begins early and lasts into the night. Circus performances at 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., beach games, music, miniature golf, picnicking, shuffleboard and swimming are just the beginning. As the evening falls, the Swinging Medallions turn the beach into a dance floor at 8:00 p.m.Once darkness descends, view the Fireworks Finale over Robin Lake. Pine Mountain, GA. For more information, call 800-225-5292, or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

For more information regarding bus re-routes and scheduling, patrons should call MARTA Scheduling at 404-848-4711 or log on to www.itsmarta.com.

MARTA To Hold "Meet MARTA Day" at Doraville Station June 30

"Meet MARTA Day," your opportunity to meet with and talk to MARTA staff will be held on Wednesday, June 30 at Doraville Station from 4:00-6:00 p.m. We hope to see you there to hear both your commendations and your suggestions for how we can serve you better in the future!

MARTA To Operate Sunday Bus Service July 4th and 5th

In observance of the July 4 holiday, MARTA will operate Sunday bus service on both Sunday, July 4 and Monday, July 5. Rail will operate a 10-minute weekday frequency on Sunday, July 4 and a 15-minute frequency on Monday, July 5.

Call MARTA's Customer Information at 404-848-4711 or the Customer Service Center at 404-848-4800 for more information.

June 25, 2004
MARTA Moves 33,000 Mega Fest Attendees in Two Hours

ATLANTA—MARTA’s upgraded Mega Fest operations plan proved successful Thursday night as the transit authority moved 33,000 passengers in two hours.

MARTA normally averages moving 9,000 passengers per hour on its rail system.

“Last night, we were very pleased with the flow of passengers on the system,” said Justine Boyd, MARTA Assistant General Manager of External Affairs. “The events began to let out at approximately 9:30 p.m., and with our new procedures in place, all was clear by 11:30 p.m.”

Boyd added that MARTA instituted new crowd control measures with over 100 employee volunteers and MARTA Police, and will continue to make adjustments as needed.

In addition, Boyd said that so far, there have been no complaints to MARTA’s Customer Service Center. She added she is also appreciative of the cooperation and patience of Mega Fest riders. “Again, MARTA is very pleased to be the official transportation provider for Mega Fest, and we are absolutely committed to moving all conference attendees to their final destinations,” said Boyd

MARTA will continue to work with Cobb Community Transit and C-TRAN to extend their service through the remainder of the weekend. MARTA expects hundreds of thousands of riders from departing Mega Fest attendees, as well as participants for the Atlanta Pride Weekend at Piedmont Park.

For more information on scheduling, please call MARTA’s Customer Information Center at (404) 848-4711 or log on to www.itsmarta.com.

JUNE 10, 2004
MARTA POLICE MAKE ARREST IN TRAIN VIOLENCE

ATLANTA—This afternoon, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department made an arrest in connection with an attack on a high-ranking military official on the train at the MARTA Airport Station.

“At 11:17 a.m., a U.S. Army major boarded a southbound train at the MARTA Lakewood-Fort McPherson Station to pick up his family from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. While sitting on the train, an African American male dressed in a white robe and head dress, began staring at the major, pacing back and forth. He then headed towards the major yelling, screaming and swinging punches at him,” said MARTA Police Chief Gene Wilson. “An elderly lady, who did not give her age, tried to intervene by hitting the attacker with her purse, but the suspect retaliated by knocking her unconscious. As the train pulled into MARTA’s Airport Station, the suspect ran off the train and entered the northbound train across the platform, where he got into another altercation with another passenger. The MARTA rail operator and the passenger subdued the suspect until police arrived.”

MARTA Police arrested 42-year-old Saffo Davis of Atlanta and charged him with four counts of battery and four counts of obstruction for attacking the major, the elderly lady, the third victim and a police officer. He is being detained at Clayton County Jail. It took 15 MARTA police officers to transport Davis. According to a preliminary background check, Davis has numerous convictions on his police record.

“The suspect made no reference to the major’s race or military background prior to the attack. As far as we can tell, this is just one individual acting on his own,” said Wilson. “We do not believe this incident is tied to G8 protests or anything of that nature.”

The major was treated by Grady Hospital’s auxiliary clinic located inside the airport. The elderly lady was treated on the scene by the paramedics and released to her husband.

Prior to this incident, MARTA beefed up its police presence on the south line. Last week, MARTA redeployed 20 of its bus and special operations response teams to cover the G-8 Summit in Savannah. “As soon as they return, our officers will redeployed throughout the system,” said Wilson.

MARTA rail service was not interrupted during the incident.

For more information:
Kimberly Willis Green 404.848.5567
kgreen@itsmarta.com

JUNE 2, 2004
WALL ELECTED VICE CHAIR OF MARTA BOARD

ATLANTA—In a special election held yesterday with a majority vote, Edmund J. Wall representing DeKalb County was voted Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors.

Wall is replacing fellow DeKalb member Henrietta Turnquest who resigned from the MARTA board effective May 13. DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones appointed Wall to the board in 2002.

Born and raised in Gordon, Georgia, Wall has been in the brokerage business for 17 years. He began his career at Lex Jolley & Co., Inc. in 1984. Mr. Lex Jolley, Sr. who had been in the brokerage business in Georgia since 1925, was the dean of broker/dealers in Georgia. Wall worked directly with Mr. Jolley for eight years. Lex Jolley & Co., Inc. became Bank South Securities Corporation in 1990, and Wall served as managing director through 1995. Wall co-founded Knox Wall & Company in 1996. Knox Wall & Company was acquired by Morgan Keegan and Company in 1997, and Morgan Keegan and Company was later acquired by Regions Financial Corporation. Wall served a broad range of municipal clients in Georgia and is Managing Director of Knox Wall.

Wall has lived in DeKalb County and has been active in the community for 17 years. He is a member of Glynn Memorial United Methodist Church and serves on the Church Finance Committee. Wall serves on the Emory University Liaison Committee and DeKalb County Pension Board with over 10,000 beneficiaries and over one billion in assets.

Wall graduated from high school from Georgia Military College in Milledgeville and later earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1984. He has been married for 14 years and has two children.

For more information:
Kimberly Willis Green 404.848.5567
kgreen@itsmarta.com

June 25, 2004
MARTA Will Operate Shuttle Service for Pride Weekend

ATLANTA—MARTA is scheduled to operate shuttle bus service for Atlanta Pride Weekend festivities June 26 and June 27.

Shuttle service will run Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 12 midnight, every 10 minutes from MARTA’s Arts Center Station to Piedmont Park. MARTA will also run its trains every 10 minutes on Saturday from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and every 15 minutes until 1 a.m. On Sunday, trains will run every 15 minutes until the end of service.

The Pride Parade kicks off Sunday, 1 p.m. in front of MARTA’s Civic Center Station, at the intersection of Ralph McGill Blvd. and W. Peachtree St. The fare for MARTA is $1.75 each way. For more information on bus and rail scheduling, please call MARTA’s Customer Information Center at (404) 848-4711 or log on to www.itsmarta.com.

JUNE 8, 2004
MARTA POLICE AMONG THOUSANDS OF GEORGIA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES PROTECTING G8 SUMMIT

ATLANTA—Twenty members of the MARTA Police Department have been redeployed to serve among 20,000 law enforcement officers and National Guard troops from all over the state of Georgia guarding the G8 summit being held on Sea Island in Savannah June 8-10.

MARTA’s police force was recruited based on their experience, as well as security requirements for the summit. “All of the local law enforcement agencies were asked to contribute if they could,” said MARTA Police Chief Gene Wilson. “However, the State Department of Homeland Security were particularly interested in team members who could fill special abilities such as our Special Operations Response Team.” MARTA’s special unit provides a highly specialized/high risk tactical response to counter-terrorism, chemical-biological weapons and surveillance/stake-out capabilities.

Wilson added that MARTA sent some of their TSA-certified explosive detection canine teams and bus patrol officers based on their experience. “The equipment we use along with our chem-bio training gave MARTA officers a tactical edge,” said Wilson. All of the officers left for Sea Island June 4.

The G8 Summit brings together leaders of the world’s major industrial democracies including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and this year, the Greater Middle East to discuss a wide range of international economic, political, social and security issues.

Comprised of 300 sworn officers, the MARTA police department was the first transit police agency in the U.S. and one of only 33 agencies in Georgia to be nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA accreditation is based on extensive evaluation of the department including the areas of administration, organization, roles and responsibilities, cooperative relationships with other jurisdictions, crime prevention, community relations, and crime analysis. MARTA was recently earned its third reaccredidation in March.

For more information on the MARTA police department, please visit the agency’s section at www.itsmarta.com/police or call 404.848.4900.

MARTA To Run 20-minute Rail Schedules on North Line June 5 & 6, and June 12 & 13

MARTA will perform track renovation work on the north rail line the weekends of June 5 & 6, and June 12 & 13. As a result, MARTA will run a 20-minute rail schedule on those weekends.

On the weekend of June 5 & 6, the North Springs train will travel every 20 minutes between the Airport and North Springs. The Doraville train will only run from Doraville to Lindbergh Center Station and back. At Lindbergh Center Station, the Airport train and the North Springs train will depart from the southbound platform. The Doraville train will depart from the northbound platform.

On the weekend of June 12 & 13, the North Springs train will travel every 20 minutes between the Airport and North Springs. The Doraville train will only run from Doraville to Lindbergh Center Station and back. The northbound and southbound trains will board on the southbound platform at North Avenue, Midtown and Arts Center stations.

For more information, call Customer Information at 404-848-4711.

Traffic Flow To Deck #2 And Surface Lots To Change At Doraville Station May 31

Effective Monday, May 31, there will be a new traffic flow in Deck No. 2 and the surface lots at MARTA’s Doraville Station. On that date, the north entrance to Deck No. 2 will close. The entrance near Park Street (south of the busway) will reopen to allow vehicles to enter only. All parking (surface lot & deck) will be provided with tickets upon entry.

Also on May 31, the south end of the surface parking lot in front of Deck No. 2 will be fenced off and the entrance and exit will be through Deck No. 2. A lighted walkway at the west side of Deck No. 2 will lead patrons to the faregates at the station.

The closest alternate daily parking is located just a few miles south at Chamblee Station. The closest alternate long-term (more than 24 hours) parking is located at Dunwoody Station or Brookhaven/Oglethorpe University Station. MARTA apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause its customers. For more information, call MARTA’s Customer Service Center at 404- 848-4800 or visit www.itsmarta.com.

View the map showing the changes (PDF)

A Note From the General Manager

Thank you for supporting MARTA and for participating in public discussions that will help set the course for MARTA's future.

All across the nation, rapid transit is facing financial difficulties. Nationwide declines in ridership and revenues have forced dozens of transit agencies to raise fares and/or reduce service. MARTA, unfortunately, is among those transit agencies that has been impacted by the economic recession. Revenues have fallen at the farebox and in proceeds from the sales tax. In order to close a widening budget shortfall, MARTA, like other transit operators, must raise fares or cut routes. Two years ago, MARTA promised riders that it would not raise fares for five years, and even in light of tough economic conditions we will keep that promise. To do so in the current economic conditions, however, MARTA has no choice but to propose service reductions.

MARTA does not propose service adjustments without acknowledging the disruption and inconvenience this causes many of our riders. Thousands of metro Atlantans depend on MARTA to get to work, to school, to health care and to reach family and friends. We are aware of the hardship service adjustments place on our riders and our employees, and we have taken every step to minimize the impact.

We've also tightened our own belts before asking for sacrifices from riders. To cut costs and enhance efficiency, MARTA has eliminated more than 700 positions over the last three years. Additional cost-cutting measures have saved the system more than $36 million over the same period. Still, service adjustments are necessary to help close the budget shortfall.

Of course, MARTA would rather expand than reduce service. Expanding MARTA helps our economy by linking employees and employers; it helps our environment by reducing air pollution, and it helps our productivity by alleviating traffic congestion. To get back on the path to growth, however, MARTA needs new approaches to regional mass transit and new sources for funding. That's why your voice is so important in this process. We hope you'll join MARTA in seeking new ways to ensure the vitality of mass transit in metro Atlanta.

What is MARTA's Current Financial Condition?

Farebox collections were $6 million less than anticipated this year. The economic recession also dramatically reduced sales tax collections. Sales tax collections were off almost $20 million one year ago. While revenues are falling, some of MARTA's costs are rising. MARTA is a maturing transit system, which means its fleet of buses and trains require more costly maintenance as they age.

This coming fiscal year, MARTA is facing a budget shortfall of $54 million. As a state-created authority, MARTA is not allowed to run budget deficits. Therefore, it must close the budget shortfall—most of which is directly attributable to economic recession—by raising fares or reducing service. When MARTA raised fares to $1.75 in 2001, we promised our customers we would hold that fare for five years. So we will only propose adjustments in service.

And unfortunately, more service adjustments—and possibly fare increases—may be necessary in the next few years if new sources of funding are not found. This year's round of service adjustments represent a reduction of about 15 percent of MARTA's service costs. An additional 10 percent cut will be needed next year if no new funding sources are found for MARTA.

What Has MARTA Done to Offset the Budget Gap?

Over the past three years MARTA has significantly cut costs:

700 positions have been eliminated
2001 service adjustments cut costs and enhanced efficiency
Early retirements helped eliminate positions
Unpaid furloughs required sacrifices of MARTA employees
Merit pay increases have been curtailed
MARTA sought wage and benefit concessions from unions

Cost reduction programs have produced the following benefits:

$8 million saved in FY ‘02
$8 million saved in FY ‘03
$20 million saved in FY ‘04
$36 million in total budget savings over three years

Is MARTA Bloated and Inefficient?

The misperception persists in metro Atlanta that MARTA is bloated, inefficient and wasteful. Some people even believe that this has contributed to MARTA's current economic crisis. And yet study after study confirms that MARTA is among the most efficient operators of mass transit in the nation.

A study conducted in 2001 found that "MARTA performs very well relative to its peers with respect to operating costs per boarding for the bus mode. MARTA's operating cost per boarding is, and has since 1995 been, among the lowest in the peer group, which in addition to the rail properties also includes Houston, Dallas and Seattle." The same study also found that for heavy rail, "MARTA's performance has been much better on average than that of its peers since 1995."
A study mandated by the Georgia General Assembly in 2002 confirmed those findings. It found that MARTA is equal to or better than comparable transit agencies in:
- Operating cost per revenue hour
- Operating cost per passenger
- Passengers per revenue hour
- More transit service per capita compared to comparable agencies
- Operating ratio comparable to peers
- Faster speeds than every system except San Francisco BART

How Does MARTA Help Atlanta?

The Economy:

MARTA connects employees and employers throughout the metro region.
MARTA carries 98 percent of all transit riders in the Atlanta region.
MARTA helps alleviate congestion, which is the No. 1 barrier to economic growth in metro Atlanta.
MARTA is a selling point in attracting mega conventions and major sporting events.
MARTA has been a catalyst for the economic growth and development of the Atlanta region. Without MARTA, it is unlikely the region would have attracted major corporations to locate here, or would have attracted major economic generators such as the 1996 Olympics.
MARTA contributes $476 million annually to Atlanta's gross regional product.
MARTA has helped Atlanta live up to its image as a world-class city steeped in a rich history of transportation.
MARTA represents a nearly $4 billion pubic investment that should provide the basis for a coordinated regional mass transit system.

The Environment:

A study conducted by the American Public Transit Association found that in 2001 alone, public transportation use in the Atlanta area saved 19.3 million gallons of gasoline, and kept more than 300 million pounds of pollutants out of the air.
MARTA has one of the largest fleet of compressed natural gas buses in the nation, increasing mobility while reducing pollution.
The availability of MARTA as a transit alternative saved Atlantans approximately 25 million manhours in traffic delays.

What Steps is MARTA Taking to Ensure Its Future?

MARTA is seeking new funding sources from Georgia and metro Atlanta governments. Among the 10 largest transit systems in America, MARTA is the only one that does not receive funding from the state.
MARTA is seeking federal funds from Washington. MARTA has been successful in bringing home Atlanta's share of federal transit dollars. This year, MARTA is seeking $21 million in federal funding.
MARTA is a leader in transit-oriented development nationally, and is seeking new sources of revenue from transit-oriented developments.
MARTA is partnering with other metro transit operators, both as a means to facilitate a more regional approach to mass transit and as an additional source of revenue. MARTA, for instance, has operated the Clayton County bus system on behalf of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. MARTA is pursuing similar partnerships with other metro transit operators.

How Do Service Adjustments Affect MARTA Service?

MARTA's overall service level adjustments will impact less than 1/2% of our riders.
Nearly every bus route is affected by service adjustments, either through the hours of service, the frequency of service or through route adjustments. Out of MARTA's 125 bus routes, only 17 remain unaffected by this first round of service adjustments.
Before the adjustments, MARTA provided 30.75 million miles of annual bus service. After the adjustments, MARTA will provide 25.143 million miles of bus service.
Rail service is unaffected by this first round of service adjustments because the cost of rail service is more fixed than bus service, and cutting rail service does not produce sufficient cost savings.
Routes that were mostly underutilized, or that were duplicated by other MARTA service, were targeted for major modification or elimination.
Each MARTA route was evaluated. As a result, 40 were targeted for major changes, 45 for minor changes, and four for elimination because they were underused and the cost greatly exceeded the demand for service.
Of the remaining routes, segments of 14 have been merged into other services, 2 routes were re-numbered to eliminate the use of letters, and 4 new route numbers are included where routes are proposed to be split or new segments added. Of these changes, only a small percentage of riders will be without service and 17 routes have no change to service.
MARTA serves 212,000 bus riders daily. The service adjustments result in 800 riders being left "without service" within a one-quarter mile walking distance. This represents less than 1/2% of total weekday ridership.
Before the service adjustments, MARTA covered 56.2 percent of the City of Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb counties. Following the service adjustments, MARTA will still provide service to 54.8 percent in these areas.

MARTA's objectives in targeting routes for elimination:

To minimize the impact on the majority of MARTA riders.
To eliminate costly duplication of services.
To ensure that low-income riders were not disproportionately affected.
To ensure that the elderly were not disproportionately impacted.
To ensure that the handicapped still retained service.
To maximize cost reductions while minimizing service disruptions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 19, 2004

STATEMENT FROM MARTA ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF WANDA DUNHAM REGARDING DECEASED INFANT FOUND ON MARTA PROPERTY

“The MARTA Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a person of interest who possibly has a connection to the body of a deceased infant found on May 13, 2004 near the intersection of Chappell Rd and Bernard Street in Northwest Atlanta.

MARTA Police received a tip from a concerned citizen, who saw a male subject, acting suspicious carrying a baby covered in a blanket in the area two days prior to the discovery of the body.

*The subject is described as a Black male, early 20’s, approx. 6 feet to 6’1 in height, slim build, dark complexion, shoulder length dread locks or braided hair, and clean-shaven. The subject was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black sweat pants.

MARTA Police is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identity of this subject. Please contact the MARTA Police using our 24-hour hot line. That number is (404) 848-4910.

Also, from this date forward, the abandoned infant will be known as Baby Joshua. There will be a graveside burial service on Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. The service will be held at Gwinnett Memorial Park 925 U.S. Hwy. 29, Lawrenceville, GA. The arrangements are being handled by the New Hope Safe Haven organization. For more information contact Brittany McClintock at (770) 616-1188. The public is invited to attend.”

Officials of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Lanier Parking Systems announced that they have lowered their daily rate of Up-Close paid parking to $1 and the monthly rate to $20 at MARTA’s Hamilton E. Holmes, College Park, North Springs and Indian Creek stations.

Up-Close Parking is a six-month feasibility study implemented by Lanier Parking Systems back in January. The program is designed to use portions of MARTA’s end-line station parking lots for paid, up-close parking. The fees were decreased from $2 per day and $40 for monthly passes to the new rates in an effort to increase participation.

MARTA maintains approximately 26,000 parking spaces, most of which are free for daily parking. Approximately 300 parking spaces at four end-line rail stations, including Hamilton E. Holmes, College Park, North Springs and Indian Creek, are being used for the study.

For more information on Up-Close Parking, call Lanier Parking Systems at 404-876-4442.

MARTA Braves Shuttle Update

ATLANTA—The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) officials have announced today that they will sell tokens outside the Underground/World of Coca-Cola Plaza entrance for riders to obtain a return fare for the Braves Shuttle departing from Turner Field.

If customers do not purchase a token before the game, exact fare of $1.75 will still be required at Turner Field upon boarding the shuttle. The shuttles will depart 90 minutes before game time and all riders must pay $1.75 or have a valid MARTA transfer from the system before boarding from the Underground/World of Coca-Cola Plaza.

MARTA and Underground Atlanta staff will be on hand to assist customers. For more information, call MARTA’s Customer Information Line at (404) 848-4711