MARTA To Improve Wait Times

“Anytime you can increase the frequency, you increase the ridership and that’s going to be good for the system and the city,” said Lee Biola, chair of the advocacy group Citizens for Progressive Transit.

The changes won’t affect weekend rail service, which averages around 20-25 minutes between trains.

The service improvements will cost MARTA about a million dollars annually.

Longer wait times have been in effect for most of the recession. Biola said the changes are long overdue.

“The cuts in hindsight appear to have been a mistake. MARTA did not save that much money from these cuts and lost a lot of ridership at a time when other transit agencies around the country increased ridership.”

MARTA spokesman Lyle Harris responded to that with the following emailed statement.

“Instead of focusing on the rear-view mirror, MARTA is looking forward. We’re transforming the transit system by getting our financial house in order and becoming as efficient and cost-effective as possible,” said Harris. “Through cost-cutting and other initiatives, we are re-investing those savings we’ve realized into increasing  bus and train service for our customers and improving the overall transit experience. “

For the first time in years, MARTA in December reported a budget surplus. Over the last year, the agency has undergone several cost-cutting measures and is currently considering further steps including privatizing some of its functions.