MARTA Fares On The Rise?

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – A MARTA committee has recommended the agency raise fares from $2 to $2.50. MARTA's board chair says the funding will offset a projected budget shortfall, continue paying staff and beef up transit safety. The full board makes a final decision next week.

Revenue from a sales tax in the city of Atlanta, Fulton County and DeKalb County accounts for a hefty portion of MARTA's budget. When the economy suffers, so does the transit agency.

"MARTA's financial model is broken," said MARTA Board Chair Jim Durrett. "If people aren't buying things in Fulton and DeKalb counties, than we're not getting the one-penny tax we need to fund our system. So, we have to look elsewhere."

The plan to raise fares by .50 would bring in an extra $20 million dollars for MARTA in the next fiscal year. In addition to avoiding service cuts, Durrett knows he has to convince riders they'll get their money's worth. Part of the funding, he says, would pay for an increased police presence to address riders' safety concerns.