Local

MARTA to hold public hearings on proposed 2014 budget

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.)

North Fulton Service Center

7741 Roswell Road

Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Riding MARTA: Bus route 87 from either the Dunwoody or North Springs rail stations.

Decatur Maloof Auditorium

1300 Commerce Drive

Decatur, GA  30030

Taking MARTA: Walk one block west of Decatur Rail Station.

Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 7 p.m.

MARTA Headquarters Building

2424 Piedmont Road

Atlanta, GA  30324

Riding MARTA: Across the street from the Lindbergh Center Station.

Adamsville Recreation Center

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.