Local

Transit Advocates Welcome Plan to Partly Restore MARTA Service

April 29th, 2013

Transit advocates are mostly encouraged by the budget plan proposed by MARTA CEO Keith Parker, particularly details that indicate some bus and train service could be restored in coming years.

To stop the agency from running an annual deficit, Parker wants to privatize some operations, cut employee benefits, and raise fares by 25 cents over a two-year period beginning in 2014. Parker is also vowing to partly restore some bus and rail service that was cut in 2010. Under the plan, expanded service can be expected in 2017.

David Emory of Citizens for Progressive Transit says despite the fare hike, Parker’s budget proposal is a positive sign.

“We will be paying higher fares before we see new service under this budget so that could be a concern but still I think we’re heading in a better direction than we were a year or two ago where we were seeing continual service cuts with no new service and continual fare hikes,” said Emory.

Ashley Robbins of Georgians for Better Transit agrees, saying most rider complaints have to do with the frequency of trains and buses.

“If we end up with another fare increase that doesn’t have service you’ll continue to see ridership drop but if we’re able to expand service with a minimal fare increase I think it will in turn be good for the system.”

Other elements of Parker’s budget didn’t get as positive of a reception. Emory says funds proposed to re-open public bathrooms could be better spent expanding service.

“They have public restrooms available at about a quarter of their stations, and that includes Five Points station and all the major transfer centers, and that’s really more than a lot of transit agencies do,” said Emory.

Meanwhile, Robbins is concerned privatizing operations could lead to a disconnect between MARTA and its customers.

“Will those people be local, will they not be local and how will they interact with upper management at MARTA when they receive customer complaints? How will that be brought then into the agency?” said Robbins.

She also worries the proposed cuts to employee health and pension benefits could lead to contentious contract negotiations this summer with MARTA’s union.

“If employees are unhappy, it’s going to affect riders,” said Robbins.

Public hearings on the budget are scheduled for May 14th and 16th. Ultimately MARTA’s board must approve the plan.