MARTA

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Image:Marta.gif
MARTA is the common name for Atlanta's rapid transit system, consisting of a network of bus routes linked to a rapid transit system. It is operated by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

Contents

Operations and funding

Shoppers in Fulton and DeKalb counties pay a 1% sales tax to support MARTA. More than 40% of this tax is exported (paid by persons who are not residents of Fulton and DeKalb counties). According to MARTA, more than 85% of its riders are residents of Fulton and DeKalb counties. Metro Atlanta's inner suburban counties, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton initially agreed to join MARTA but refused membership when voters in their respective counties voted against paying to help fund the system. Since the original MARTA plan consisted of a much wider service area, some counties have representatives on the board of directors (e.g., Gwinnett and Clayton). However, only Fulton and DeKalb counties give financial support to MARTA. The inner suburban counties have instead created their own independent bus systems; Cobb Community Transit in 1989 (July 10), Gwinnett County Transit in 2001 (Nov. 5), and C-TRAN in 2001 (Oct. 1) respectively. Eleven counties, including Fulton and DeKalb, and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority also are working together to provide a regional commuter coach service, Xpress, which began service on June 6, 2004. The system receives limited financial support for capital projects from the state of Georgia, and U.S. federal transit subsidies and grants for capital development and maintenance. By law, half of all MARTA revenues (sales tax plus fare box) must be spent on operations, half on capital expenditures like expanding the system. This law was amended in 2004 to allow a 45% capital/55% operations split for a fixed period.

MARTA's funding has been repeatedly cut despite criticism that it poorly serves the Atlanta area. Poor design and insufficient investment are chief among the concerns.

Rail

Stations

North-South Line (orange)

Image:MARTA - N3 Station.jpg

 


West-East Line (blue)

Image:MARTArailmap.jpeg

Rolling stock

  • 101-200: CQ310 class. Built by Franco-Belge, 1979-1981
  • 501-520: CQ310 class. Built by Franco-Belge, 1979-1981, originally single unit cars.
  • 201-320: CQ311 class. Built by Hitachi, 1987
  • 601-700: CQ312 class. Built by Breda, 2001-2003

Bus

MARTA's bus system is more spread out than the rail system, serving areas in Fulton and DeKalb counties such as the cities of Roswell and Alpharetta in North Fulton, along with South DeKalb and even portions of Clayton and Gwinnett Counties. Most of the bus lines feed into or intersect rail lines as well. MARTA also runs shuttles for special events (such as the Peachtree Road Race and Atlanta Marathon) and for Atlanta Braves baseball games from Five Points to Turner Field.

History

The system was established in 1971 with a signed agreement between DeKalb and Fulton counties, allowing such a system to run between the two counties.

West-East Line construction

Construction on the West-East Line began in 1975 and the first rail service began on June 30, 1979 between the Georgia State and Avondale stations on the East Line. The second section of rail to open was the West Line between Hightower (now Hamilton E. Holmes) and Five Points stations, on December 15, 1979. On December 12, 1992, the Proctor Creek Line opened to Bankhead Station and in June of 1993, the Kensignton and Indian Creek stations opened, which also marked the first time MARTA rail service went outside I-285.

North Line construction

On December 4, 1981, the North-South Line opened from Garnett Station to North Avenue, which also included the lower level of the Five Points Station. On September 11, 1982, the line was expanded to Arts Center, and the Peachtree Center station (whose opening was delayed from 1981) also opened. The section between Lindbergh Center and Brookhaven opened on December 15, 1984. The line reached Chamblee in 1987, and the Doraville terminus was finished in 1992. The section between Lenox and Doraville was redesignated the Doraville branch on June 8, 1996 when the North Springs (then Dunwoody) branch opened between Buckhead and Dunwoody stations (and also included the stretch in the Georgia 400 median). The last two North Line stations to open were Sandy Springs and North Springs, on December 16, 2000.

South Line construction

The Garnett station opened in 1981 and was the first South Line station to open. The section between the West End and Lakewood-Fort McPherson opened on December 15, 1984. The East Point Station opened on August 16, 1986. and the College Park and Airport Stations opened on June 18, 1988. The Airport Station however, was built in 1980 as part of the construction of Hartsfield International Airport and was unused until the line was connected.

External links

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