MARTA presents FY26 budget focusing on safety reliability and World Cup readiness
May 21, 2025 | Fulton County, Georgia
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The Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 21, 2025, highlighted significant updates from MARTA and the Atlanta BeltLine, focusing on transit improvements and community engagement ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
MARTA officials presented a comprehensive overview of their recent activities, including a review of ridership trends and the proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2026. Notably, ridership experienced a significant dip in January 2025 due to severe weather, but officials assured that issues with reporting data have been resolved. The proposed budget emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and reliability, with no expected reductions in service delivery. Key initiatives include a new bus network redesign aimed at increasing ridership and enhancing service consistency.
MARTA is also investing in safety measures, including increased police pay and the implementation of a real-time crime center to monitor activities across the transit system. The budget also allocates funds for the rehabilitation of stations and improvements in cleanliness, ensuring a better experience for riders.
In addition to transit updates, the Atlanta BeltLine's presentation underscored its economic impact, reporting nearly $10 billion in development since its inception. The BeltLine aims to exceed its goal of delivering 5,600 units of affordable housing by 2030, with projections indicating the potential for 7,200 units. However, challenges remain, particularly with federal funding for projects like the Northeast Trail, which is currently at risk.
The meeting also addressed community engagement efforts, including MARTA's participation in a multi-jurisdictional briefing on World Cup preparations. Officials expressed confidence in their ability to manage large crowds during the event, drawing on past experiences from major events like the Super Bowl.
As the meeting concluded, commissioners emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and support for transit initiatives, particularly in light of the upcoming World Cup and ongoing development projects. The next steps include finalizing budgets and addressing any funding challenges to ensure the successful implementation of these critical transit and community projects.
MARTA officials presented a comprehensive overview of their recent activities, including a review of ridership trends and the proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2026. Notably, ridership experienced a significant dip in January 2025 due to severe weather, but officials assured that issues with reporting data have been resolved. The proposed budget emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and reliability, with no expected reductions in service delivery. Key initiatives include a new bus network redesign aimed at increasing ridership and enhancing service consistency.
MARTA is also investing in safety measures, including increased police pay and the implementation of a real-time crime center to monitor activities across the transit system. The budget also allocates funds for the rehabilitation of stations and improvements in cleanliness, ensuring a better experience for riders.
In addition to transit updates, the Atlanta BeltLine's presentation underscored its economic impact, reporting nearly $10 billion in development since its inception. The BeltLine aims to exceed its goal of delivering 5,600 units of affordable housing by 2030, with projections indicating the potential for 7,200 units. However, challenges remain, particularly with federal funding for projects like the Northeast Trail, which is currently at risk.
The meeting also addressed community engagement efforts, including MARTA's participation in a multi-jurisdictional briefing on World Cup preparations. Officials expressed confidence in their ability to manage large crowds during the event, drawing on past experiences from major events like the Super Bowl.
As the meeting concluded, commissioners emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and support for transit initiatives, particularly in light of the upcoming World Cup and ongoing development projects. The next steps include finalizing budgets and addressing any funding challenges to ensure the successful implementation of these critical transit and community projects.
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