The Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) moved over a half-million customers during the three-day Super Bowl weekend as massive crowds took advantage of 24-hour rail service. Saturday marked MARTA’s busiest travel day in decades, with an estimated 270,000 rail riders, more than double the number seen on a typical Saturday. Parking lots throughout the system […]
Tag: MARTA
Posted inColumns
NFL praises Atlanta’s walkability during Super Bowl, but Northside Drive still lacking
Funny how the world works.
For decades, Atlanta has been viewed as an auto-centric, sprawling city with few accolades for being pedestrian-friendly or transit-accessible.
But listening to the folks from the National Football League and the Super Bowl Host Committee, Atlanta is being portrayed as a totally different city.
Posted inColumns, Main Slider
The Super Bowl is here
In the last 25 years Atlanta has hosted the big game two times, and we are on the eve of hosting our third. Each of our Super Bowl eras has marked a different phase of Atlanta.
Posted inThought Leader, Transit
A Moonshot for Transit
Jeffrey A Parker, General Manager and CEO, MARTA January 2019 (Below are abridged remarks delivered by Mr. Parker at the 6th Annual State of MARTA Breakfast, edited for content and clarity.) [The year] 2018 was a year of great accomplishments and progress for MARTA. Most importantly, it was a breakthrough year for transit. It demonstrates […]
Posted inColumns
$100 Billion
On Jan. 11, MARTA CEO Jeff Parker stood before the audience of the 6th annual State of MARTA address announcing that within the next few decades the metro Atlanta area would need to invest $100 billion in new transit & developments to meet future needs by 2045.
Posted inLatest News
MARTA leader calls for “moon shot” metro Atlanta transit effort
With an audience of elected leaders from all over metro Atlanta and beyond, MARTA’s leader said the region needs to have a “big goal” as it looks toward the next 40 years of transit.
Posted inColumns, Main Slider
The 18 Best, worst and most important trends in 2018 – Part 2
The following is a continuation of the 18 best, worst, and most important trends and developments emanating from within and throughout metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia for 2018. This list was compiled by me with input from people within SaportaReport and beyond.
Posted inThought Leader, Transit
A tribute to Cheryl L. King; An early architect of Atlanta regional transit, devoted friend, mentor, and culinary queen
By Lyle V. Harris Cheryl Lynn King was a bona fide transit champion in metro Atlanta way before it was trendy. Twelve years ago, her professionalism, pragmatism, and passion helped forge a visionary blueprint to connect the sprawling region with a seamless network of buses, trains, and streetcars. Insiders say that one of the notable […]
Posted inThought Leader, Transit
MARTA HOLIDAY BUS A FAVORITE AT THE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARADE
The Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) was proud to participate in the recent Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade for the sixth year in a row, marking the official beginning of the holiday season in Atlanta. The parade is the largest of its type in the southeast and featured floats, marching bands, and the MARTA […]
Posted inLatest News
MARTA preparing to post ads targeting Super Bowl fans at Five Points Station
MARTA is preparing to post advertising on the jumbotrons in the Five Points Station during the Super Bowl. The ads are to be placed on panels that are to be attached to the jumbotrons and removed after the event.
Posted inLatest News
MARTA board approves rail, bus rapid transit plans for Clayton County
A set of quicker transit routes are set to come through Clayton County as MARTA’s board formally approves a rail line on the south end of its network plus bus rapid transit for other parts of the county.
Posted inATL Business Chronicle
Carpet giant’s new HQ showcases environmental commitment
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Oct. 19, 2018
The new corporate headquarters of Interface Inc. is hard to miss.
The building — directly across from the MARTA Arts Center Station on West Peachtree Street in Midtown — is wrapped in recyclable polyester with images of large trees.
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‘The ATL’ board needs more visionaries and fewer political appointees
Atlanta is a city founded on transportation.
Railroads were the economic engines of Atlanta and the state. After the railroads, there were horsecars, streetcars, buses and pedestrian-filled streets that enabled the city’s growth.
Posted inATL Business Chronicle
Atlanta BeltLine at critical spot, seeks leader, debates transit
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on July 13, 2018
Atlanta BeltLine Inc. stands at a critical juncture — at a time when its leadership is in a state of flux.
Brian McGowan, president and CEO of the city agency since September, has accepted a position to become CEO of the Greater Seattle Partnership and will be stepping down from the BeltLine in mid-August.
Posted inRegion Matters, Thought Leader, Uncategorized
South Fulton Ready to Take Off: Q&A With Head of Connect South Fulton
By Lyle Harris With the world’s busiest airport in its backyard, convenient access to multi-modal transportation and large swaths of land primed for development, South Fulton County is on the move. Michael Davis, Executive Director of Connect South Fulton, is understandably “bullish” about the prospects for the region to emerge as a flourishing hub for […]
Posted inThought Leader, Transit
MARTA BUS OPERATOR RECOGNIZED FOR BRAVERY
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) bus operator Winston Douglas was recently recognized for saving a woman’s life while on his route. On Sept. 9, Douglas was driving his route on Ormond Street in southwest Atlanta when he saw a man attacking a woman. Douglas parked the bus, grabbed a stick from the ground outside, […]
Posted inPhilanthropy, Thought Leader, Uncategorized
Caring for the vulnerable in our region of abundance
By Terry Mazany, senior vice president, philanthropy, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta I was riding MARTA to work recently and at one stop I looked up to see a small elderly woman struggling to drag a large overflowing suitcase and plastic trash bag full of her possessions through the door next to me onto the train. […]
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New mobility options like Uber and Bird present challenges for transit
I remember growing up in the 1990’s daydreaming during community meetings while my mom and countless advocated for better MARTA bus service in our section of Decatur. As a kid, the walks seemed endless – miles between our apartment complex and South DeKalb Mall – our connection point for buses and the occasional expensive cab ride.
Posted inThought Leader, Transit
MARTA HOLDS SUPER BOWL PEP RALLY FOR EMPLOYEES
The Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) held a pep rally on Friday Oct. 26 to mark 100 days until the start of Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta! Former Atlanta Falcon Michael Haynes, the Falcons cheerleaders, and mascot Freddie Falcon joined MARTA employees at headquarters to have lunch, play games, and get excited about MARTA’s role […]
Posted inLatest News
MARTA’s Kensington Station up for development, if zoning can be resolved
MARTA is seeking a developer to build a mixed use project, complete with affordable housing, at its Kensington Station, which is located in eastern DeKalb County between Avondale Estates and I-285. One potential stumbling block is the existing zoning of the property.
