Politics & Government
Alpharetta Resident 'Meets MARTA' at North Springs Station
"Meet MARTA Day" event at North Springs MARTA gave riders a chance to bring their concerns directly to MARTA management
Local MARTA riders were greeted by balloons and MARTA management on Monday evening at North Springs Station.
The “Meet MARTA Day” was the second of a series of four events held at different stations to give customers a chance to have their questions and concerns answered by those in MARTA’s upper management.
MARTA’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Jennifer Jinadu-Wright said, "The 'Meet MARTA Days' are a time to engage with customers, have conversations and answer questions.”
Find out what's happening in Alpharetta-Miltonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Alpharetta resident Tiras Sims welcomed the opportunity to ask questions about MARTA’s finances. “I criticized MARTA about how it has handled its finances, but after sitting with [Kevin Hurley, MARTA Treasurer], I understand that they have been very creative in handling the mess of a hard situation," she said.
“MARTA needs more PR. They need to go on the offensive and let people know that they’re not trying to take advantage of riders, but truly need more funding,” added Sims.
Find out what's happening in Alpharetta-Miltonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Others questioned Hurley about finances and costs, especially related to the rate hike. Effective Oct. 2, the fare to ride MARTA trains or buses will be $2.50, up from $2.
Paper tickets will no longer be sold or reloadable, requiring a plastic Breeze Card. Riders can purchase a Breeze Card for $1, which is a decrease from the current cost of $5 per card.
“We understand," Hurley said. "We’re trying to listen. When we suggested cuts in service, we heard ‘We need this service to get to work.’ Unfortunately, in order to save service, we had to increase fares.”
Whether the topic was finance, rail service or Atlanta’s transit future, the message from MARTA employees was consistent: Get involved. Let your voice be heard at and support the 2012 transportation sales tax referendum called the Transportation Investment Act.
“We’re hearing a demand for more service, especially further north,” said Rich Krisak, assistant general manager of Rail Operations.
The current draft list of projects to be funded by the transportation sales tax referendum includes studies related to the expansion of MARTA rail along Ga. 400 to Alpharetta, but not funding to build it.
“It’s up to you,” Krisak said. “The public needs to demand a larger regional system and more funding from the state.”
