MARTA’s labor union says it has voted to approve a new contract after negotiations that dragged on for over a year. Details of the contract approved by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 732 in a July 17 ratification vote were not immediately available. “We would like to announce that the contract was ACCEPTED,” wrote ATU […]
Tag: MARTA
Posted inColumns
In the More MARTA crystal ball, is the shortfall $0 or $852M?
Transit expansion always involves some tricky fortune-telling about revenue and ridership. The More MARTA crystal ball, however, could use another shot of Windex, with billion-dollar differences of expert opinion on the budget and no new ridership numbers at all. MARTA says a new financial model shows “no shortfall” in the roughly $1.956 billion first phase […]
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Celebrating MARTA’s vote to advance the Streetcar along the BeltLine
At long last! The MARTA board voted to advance the eastern extension of the Atlanta Streetcar to Ponce City Market at its meeting on April 13 – a move that was significant on multiple levels.
Posted inLatest News
Public meetings will review ‘More MARTA’ transit expansion update
MARTA will hold three public meetings next week about the updated project list for “More MARTA.”
Posted inLatest News
‘More MARTA’ audit confirmed as City Council presses for women/minority business program
The Atlanta City Council wins “More MARTA” audit battle, seeks a women/minority business program.
Posted inColumns, John Ruch
MARTA proposals in General Assembly include bigger no-bid contracts and bus-lane traffic cameras
MARTA is the subject of proposals at the Georgia General Assembly that also involve questions of spending transparency and the effectiveness of future transit.
Posted inLatest News
MARTA now open to sales-tax program audit demanded by Atlanta City Council
MARTA leadership now says it will “capitulate” and make the council “satisfied.”
Posted inLatest News
MARTA and City Council spar over sales-tax audit; former transit official sides with City
A war of words has erupted between MARTA and the Atlanta City Council as councilmembers are demanding an audit of the largely stalled “More MARTA” expansion program and the transit agency says the politicians should “get out of the way.”
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
When it comes to Five Points MARTA station redesign: ‘Let’s get it right’
MARTA currently is planning to spend $259.4 million to rebuild the downtown Five Points station with more than $200 million coming out of the limited More MARTA revenue. But the proposed redesign is getting pushback from key stakeholders.
Posted inLatest News
BRT planning to accelerate along top-end I-285
The prospect of bus rapid transit serving passengers along the top end of I-285 advanced Thursday, with MARTA’s board voting to collaborate with the other entities involved with improving mobility on the northern side of the Perimeter.
Posted inLatest News
Fulton County transportation efforts to continue; voters extended sales tax
Johns Creek rebuilt a congested intersection in 2020 with proceeds of a sales tax for transportation Fulton County voters have agreed to extend.
Posted inLatest News
MARTA’s Summerhill BRT: Consultant hired to help secure right-of-way
MARTA’s board of directors took another step Thursday to maintain progress on construction of the Summerhill BRT project, following last week’s public update on the region’s first bus rapid transit route that’s scheduled to open in late 2024
Posted inLatest News
BRT on Ga. 400 remains state’s priority, although project has been delayed by costs
Georgia’s commitment to bus rapid transit operating in express lanes on Ga. 400, north of I-285, has not waned, although the state has suspended the express lane construction project because of costs, according to the state’s express lane administrator.
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook: Sen. Warnock speaks to Atlanta Rotary
The Atlanta Jazz Festival is this weekend, which promises two fun-filled days for any music lover. Whether you want to visit Piedmont Park in person or tune in from your couch, all your listening needs will be covered. Visit their website to check out the schedule, and those who want to attend virtually can stream […]
Posted inLatest News
MARTA’s ads for alcohol mark Georgia’s evolving outlook on tolerance, temperance
An apparent lifetime ago, in 2014, MARTA gingerly entered the world of allowing ads for alcohol on its vehicles and premises. The advertising contract is again out for bid, with provisions for alcohol, and no significant protests have emerged.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta kills obscure law limiting bus shelters as MARTA builds more
An obscure Atlanta ordinance limiting the number of bus shelters in the city to 300 was repealed in June after surprised City Council members heard of it on Twitter. MARTA says it ignored the law, but has fewer than 300 Atlanta shelters anyway — a count that will be improved by a five-year expansion plan. […]
Posted inColumns
Working toward a ‘unified’ fare system for all metro Atlanta mass transit
Expansion of metro Atlanta’s mass transit deservedly gets a lot of attention, as getting people where they want to go remains alternative commuting’s biggest local challenge. Less glamorous, but nearly as important, is making it easy for riders to pay for and transfer between the metro’s many transit services, from local shuttles to MARTA’s rail […]
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook: DeKalb Avenue is getting a makeover
Today in Georgia history … Mary Latimer McLendon, a fierce proponent of women’s rights, was born in DeKalb County on June 24, 1840. In 1894, she founded the Atlanta chapter of the Georgia Women’s Suffrage Association and served as the chapter’s president for 18 years. On to other news from the week: DeKalb Avenue is […]
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook: Andrew Young to receive Council for Quality Growth award
As of today, June 17, Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed a bill into law declaring Juneteenth as the nation’s 12th federal holiday, the newest one in 38 years. “Juneteenth marks both a long hard night of slavery and subjugation and a promise of a brighter morning to come,” Biden said […]
