ATLANTA — MARTA announced Friday that it will be holding public hearings on its proposed budget for 2014.
Among the things it wants to include $426.9 million for operations and $430.5 million for capital programs, including $141.1 million for debt service.
“We are moving forward with initiatives that will put our financial house in order with no new sources of funding. At the same time, our goal is to make people feel safer when they’re riding MARTA and offer them great customer service from employees who are proud to work here,” said MARTA CEO Keith Parker.
Other highlights of the budget include re-opening rail station restrooms that had been previously closed to customers, restoring some transit service, a “secret shopper” program to monitor and improve customer service and a one-time, incentive payment for MARTA employees who have worked without raises for eight years
The community will have two chances to hear more about the proposed budget at public hearings. That information is below:
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 7 p.m.
(A community exchange will be held before the public hearings from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
7741 Roswell Road
Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Riding MARTA: Bus route 87 from either the Dunwoody or North Springs rail stations.
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Taking MARTA: Walk one block west of Decatur Rail Station.
Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 7 p.m.
2424 Piedmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30324
Riding MARTA: Across the street from the Lindbergh Center Station.
3201 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30311
Riding MARTA: Bus route 73 from H.E. Holmes Station.
If you cannot attend the hearings and want to provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTA's Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) or fax your comments no later than May 28, 2013 to (404) 848-4179.
WSBTV