FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2024
MARTA ANNOUNCES NEW RIDERS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL
ATLANTA
– The
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has selected its next
Riders’ Advisory Council (RAC), an all-volunteer
group dedicated to helping improve the transit experience for MARTA customers.
The
new, 25-member council is composed of people drawn from MARTA’s service area – the City of Atlanta, DeKalb, Fulton, and
Clayton counties. During their two-year terms, RAC members will provide
nonbinding, informed input to MARTA.
“The
Riders’ Advisory Council provides us with vital feedback to help us improve our
service and overall customer experience,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO
Collie Greenwood. “I want to thank each new member for volunteering their time
to advocate and educate on behalf of our customers. By sharing their real-world
experiences with us, they will help us improve our service and connect us more
closely to the communities we serve.”
MARTA’s
Chief Customer Experience Officer, Rhonda Allen, oversees the RAC in
a role that was created to transform the agency’s business practices and to
sharpen its focus on customer-facing initiatives.
Starting
in June, RAC members will meet monthly to
provide input on various topics including helping MARTA improve mobile apps and
our digital customer communication platforms, rail station appearance and
amenities and major transit expansion projects.
RAC members learn about the inner workings
of the transit system, participate in behind-the-scenes tours of operating
facilities, and receive briefings on proposed transit initiatives and MARTA’s
governance and finance. They also have opportunities to interact directly with
fellow customers while serving as transit ambassadors during sporting events
and concerts.
The
inaugural group of RAC members was seated in 2020. The most recent RAC
completed their terms this month after providing meaningful input to MARTA
on a wide range of topics. Former RAC members are encouraged to continue
playing a role in advancing MARTA’s ongoing customer experience journey.
RAC
members were selected after an open application process based on criteria
including ridership habits, commuting experiences and community involvement.
The composition of RAC membership intentionally reflects the demographic
diversity of the metro Atlanta region.
For
more information about the RAC visit MARTA (itsmarta.com) or email rac@itsmarta.com.
Below
is the full list of new Riders’ Advisory Council members for the 2024-2026
term.
City
of Atlanta:
Guadalupe Bravo, Jenna Daniel, Jovan Johnson, Julia Lee, Stephen Pellicer, Ryan
Robertson, Branden Saunders, Whytne Stevens
DeKalb
County:
Octavius Armstrong, Noah Crafts, Alao Folshade, Doretha Johnson, Latania
McKenzie, Viola Merrell, Sharon Wallace
Fulton
County:
Natashah Bezara, Victoria Chapman, Germika “Gee” Pegram, Erin Salvaggio, Ben
Shivers, LaSasha Van
Clayton
County:
Malachi Simmons, Donnell Suggs, Mark Taylor, Valerie Williams
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