Legislation
Atlanta
Transit
MARTA Renames ‘Yellow’ Line to Avoid ‘Racially Insensitive’ Perceptions
DECATUR, Ga. – MARTA announced that it is changing the name of one of its lines to avoid any perceived “racially insensitive” implications. Members of the Asian community expressed concern about one of the rail system’s lines being renamed the “Yellow” line. In October, MARTA introduced color-coded rail lines – similar to systems in other major cities – saying it will help cut down on rider confusion. With the change, the former Northeast-South Line, which serves Doraville and Chamblee on the Northside, became the Yellow Line. “In light of the concerns that have been expressed regarding the use of the
Transit
MARTA Moves to Color-Coded Lines
ATLANTA — MARTA last month introduced color-coded rail lines — similar to systems in other major cities — saying it will help cut down on rider confusion. “The changes we’re making in our rail-line identification system will help both frequent and occasional users of our system,” MARTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in a news release. “Our goal is to ensure that customers continue to move safely through the system without feeling overwhelmed.” With the change, the former North-South Line is now the Red Line, the Northeast-South Line is the Yellow Line, the East-West line is the Blue Line and
Transit
DOT Presents MARTA With $10.8 Million for Solar Canopies
ATLANTA — The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded MARTA with a $10.8 million grant under the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Grant Program. The grant will be used to install energy-efficient solar panels at the Laredo Bus Maintenance Facility in Decatur, Ga., resulting in considerable cost-savings for MARTA and creating much-needed economic opportunities for metro Atlanta, officials said. The TIGGER award represents “a timely and substantial contribution” to MARTA’s sustainability initiatives and continuing commitment to be innovative and cost-effective, MARTA said in a news release. The turnkey project will provide for shade structures with integrated, grid-tied
Transit
MARTA: New Economic Forecast Predicts Further Decline In Sales Tax Revenue
ATLANTA — MARTA “stands to lose” hundreds of millions in sales tax revenues over the next decade on top of an already projected $1.2 billion shortfall, according to a new economic analysis from the Georgia State University Economic Forecasting Center, the transit authority. This forecast shows “the urgent need for a new dedicated and reliable source of transit funding in the state and region,” MARTA said. About a month into the new fiscal year, MARTA is already re-evaluating its options to address a continuing shortfall in FY 2010 revenues, officials said. “This new report is extremely sobering. Unfortunately, we’ve continued
Legislation
MARTA Board of Directors Requests Meeting With State’s Governor
ATLANTA — MARTA Board of Directors urged Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson to call a special session to “deal with” transportation and MARTA funding issues. During their 2009 General Assembly, state legislators did not to pass what MARTA officials call “critical legislation providing regional or state transportation funding and lifting restrictions on the use of MARTA’s capital reserve funds,” MARTA contends. The Georgia General Assembly ended April 3, and during this year’s legislative session, MARTA officials petitioned state lawmakers to grant the authority access to $65 million in its capital reserve account to
Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Names Stewart and Allison to Key Finance Positions; Romig Retires
NORFOLK, Va. — Marta R. Stewart has been named vice president and treasurer, and C.H. “Jake” Allison, Jr. has been named vice president and controller for Norfolk Southern Corporation, with headquarters in Norfolk, effective April 1. Stewart succeeds William J. Romig, who retires March 31 after a 32-year career at Norfolk Southern. Stewart joined NS in 1983 as assistant manager of accounting systems and served as manager financial reporting, director corporate accounting, and assistant vice president corporate accounting before being named vice president and controller in 2003. She holds an accounting degree from The College of William & Mary and
Transit
MARTA and Transit Stakeholders Discuss the Future of a Regional Rail System during a Three-Day Symposium
ATLANTA — MARTA joined with regional leaders and transit stakeholders during an informative three-day rail symposium on Feb. 18-20. Participants received information on the latest trolley, streetcar and light rail technologies and discussed how these systems could be used for future expansion projects included in the so-called “Concept 3” regional transit plan. “As we move toward implementation of an expanded regional transit system, it is essential that we take a thoughtful and creative look at the transit technologies that will work best for us,” said MARTA General Manager/CEO Dr. Beverly A. Scott. “These invaluable professional exchanges allow us to work
Transit
MARTA Completes Extensive Rail Car Rehabilitation Program
ATLANTA — MARTA has completed an extensive rail car rehabilitation program overhauling 218 of its oldest cars to extend each car’s life line by 15 years. The cost-effective program has already resulted in an increase in MARTA’s rail service reliability by 22 percent and has also improved on-time performance substantially. MARTA General Manager/CEO Beverly A. Scott unveiled the final two rehabilitated rail cars on Feb. 18 during a special celebration at the authority’s Armour Rail Yard. For a cost of $246 million, MARTA contracted with New York based-Alstom Transportation, Inc. USA to take each vehicle down to its shell and
Transit
MARTA: New Economic Forecast Predicts Worsening Budget Crisis
ATLANTA — The latest economic forecast issued in December 2008 for MARTA by the Georgia State Economic Forecasting Center predicts a further worsening of its current fiscal crisis by an additional $10 million, the transit agency said. The forecast also predicts MARTA will experience a cumulative loss of more than $1.2 billion in sales tax revenue over the next ten years – that is up an additional $588 million from its fall 2008 report. “This latest forecast truly underscores the magnitude and severity of the economic times that we are currently dealing with,” said Beverly A. Scott, MARTA General Manager