ATLANTA – Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker today said Atlanta needs a “moonshot for transit” to ensure metro Atlanta’s growth as a world-class region.
“The greater Atlanta region is projected to grow in population by 50 percent over the next 30 years. That’s essentially adding Denver’s current population to the metro region,” Parker said. “We have to make bold decisions now that include a landmark investment in our transit network to fund innovative solutions for our traffic woes and renew our commitment to future generations.”
Parker shared his vision at the 6th Annual State of MARTA Breakfast before a sold-out crowd of community, business, and civic leaders. The Council for Quality Growth co-hosted the event.
In Parker’s first State of MARTA address, he challenged the crowd to rally behind a $100 billion investment in transit and technology over the next 40 years, rivaling the long-term capital plans unfolding in peer cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Also, Parker announced several initiatives MARTA is undertaking, including a new Rider Advisory Council to provide customers with a formal voice to make meaningful improvements to the transit system and the hiring of a Chief Customer Experience Officer that represents the customer internally and influences what we do and how we do it.
MARTA also launched a multi-year initiative to enhance and overhaul all 38 MARTA stations through a comprehensive renovation and enhancement program.
