Transit

By Ellie Ritter, contributor 

Starting Monday, July 17, MARTA will be testing its newly upgraded fire alarm systems at the Five Points Station. Testing will last until July 28.

The alarm testing is required by the National Fire Protection Association, Federal Transit Authority and other local and federal transit governing guidelines, a press release from MARTA says.

Despite the inconvenience, MARTA hopes passengers can understand the importance of the fire alarm testing.

“We understand that this testing may be a slight nuisance to our patrons as well as surrounding businesses,” MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker said. “However, we respectfully request everyone’s patience as we upgrade our fire alarm system over the coming weeks.  We apologize for any inconvenience this disruption may cause as we work to ensure the ongoing safety of our customers and employees.”

Fire alarm testing will take place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Alarms may sound continuously for up to five minutes, and the alarm sounds may be loud and frequent, so MARTA advises passengers to be prepared for the noise.

By Ellie Ritter, contributor 

Beginning July 10, MARTA will stop accepting the old standard blue Breeze cards, instead switching over to silver Breeze cards that offer new security measures.

The new silver cards, which can be purchased for $2, help combat fraud and abuse, the release said, which is an issue MARTA has dealt with before. They also have stronger chip technology to prevent hacking and have been available since early 2016.

“Although we first introduced our new cards in January of last year, we still have a few remaining customers who haven’t fully converted to our new silver Breeze cards,” MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker said in a press release. “We want to encourage everyone to upgrade to the silver Breeze card to help minimize any confusion on July 10.”

Unexpired balances from old cards must have been transferred by July 9, or all balances will be forfeited.

Despite the potential hassle, MARTA says the new cards are safer.

“We are pleased to offer this heightened technology that reflects current industry standards,” MARTA Chief Information Officer Ming Hsi said. “A more secure card decreases the likelihood of fraud or other abuse that can be detrimental to our customers.”

Additionally, the silver Breeze cards will be compatible with the other local and regional transit systems including CobbLinc, the Georgia Regional Transit Authority (GRTA), Gwinnett County Transit (GCT) and the Atlanta Streetcar.

The silver Breeze cards can be purchased at MARTA RideStores, online at breezecard.com, or at any Breeze vending machine located at all 38 rail stations.

By STEPHANNIE STOKES, WABE

The speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives recently indicated he’d support state funding for rail and bus transit.

David Ralston made the comments in the first meeting of a House commission on public transportation. He charged the group of lawmakers and transportation leaders with developing recommendations for a statewide approach.

At the meeting, Ralston also addressed one of the big sticking points: Whether transit agencies can receive state dollars without giving up their autonomy.

“I am not of the opinion that the state must wholly control or take over a transit system in order to provide funding,” he said.

Atlanta’s transit agency, MARTA, is the largest heavy rail system in the country that doesn’t receive annual state funding.

MARTA General Manager Keith Parker, who is a member of the commission, said he couldn’t talk about whether state dollars would help the agency yet.

“Until we have a real good feel of exactly what types of funding, what strings may be attached to that, the length and breadth of it, I think it would be premature to comment,” Parker said.

Those at the transit commission’s first meeting cautioned that its work likely wouldn’t translate into legislation by the next Georgia General Assembly session.

This story was provided by WABE. 

By Ellie Ritter, contributor 

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority has officially named Shelton Goode as executive director of diversity and inclusion. Goode previously served as director of diversity and inclusion at Oshkosh Corporation and holds more than 20 years of experience in the field, according to a MARTA press release.

“Dr. Goode has a proven track record of leading diversity and inclusion programs for major companies while creating robust training and successful outreach programs within global organizations,” MARTA General Manager and CEO Keith Parker said. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Goode to MARTA as we actively work to expand our diversity and inclusion initiatives.”

Goode has a wide range of experience under his belt. According to the release, Goode has worked in various human resources and diversity roles with Georgia Power, Alabama Power and PPL Services Corporation, in addition to being a decorated Air Force veteran. He’s also authored three books and taught as an adjunct professor at Georgia Military College and Troy University.

Goode, who received his bachelor’s degree from Southwest Texas State University, master’s degree from Troy University and doctorate from the University of Alabama, has received national recognition for his work, including the 2012 Trailblazer Award by the National Association of African Americans in Human Recourses and the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Technology Association of Georgia. In 2016, he was named one of the “Top 50 Most Influential African Americans in Wisconsin” by Madison 365.

Goode’s duties will include implementing diversity and inclusion strategies and equal employment opportunity programs, the release said. In order to focus on inclusion, he will also work with MARTA’s key collaborators to “ensure equitable and nondiscriminatory practices are upheld.”

“My hope is that by working with MARTA’s executive leadership team we can raise the diversity and inclusion bar, not only for our organization but for the entire metropolitan business community,” Goode said. “By applying best known actions and programs, we will help create a more inclusive environment for current and potential employees, customers, communities, businesses, and stakeholders to develop an environment that will encourage all of us to bring our greatest talents, perspectives, and experiences to the workplace.”

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed wants to hand MARTA the keys to the Atlanta Streetcar, according to Fox 5.

“Because of MARTA’s history of service and its talent, we think this is the right thing to do considering we’re funding the MARTA system $2.6 billion,” Reed told Fox 5.

Operations could be transferred within two months. Reed told Fox 5 the “next step” is to connect the streetcar to the Beltline.  For the full story, click here.

By Ellie Ritter, contributor 

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is taking a new approach to improving their system: art.

According to a MARTA press release, the organization is launching a new program aimed at aesthetically enhancing its stations and integrating art across the rail system. To launch their arts program, MARTA will host an inaugural kickoff event at the Five Points MARTA Station, located at 30 Alabama St. SW in Atlanta, on Monday, June 19.

The art-focused event, which begins at 2 p.m. and is open to the public, will include performances from Moving in the Spirit dance company and cellist Jenn Cornell accompanied by Emrah Kotan, according to the release. At the end, the company will unveil the new logo for the arts program.

Last year, MARTA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to invest in transit-center art in order to improve the overall customer experience throughout the system, the release said. Now, 1 percent of MARTA’s annual budget is allocated for “art-related programs, art-focused community activities and system-wide art restoration projects,” according to the release.

“From mosaics to murals, we are redefining the ridership experience here at MARTA by intentionally integrating art throughout the entire system,” General Manager/CEO Keith Parker said. “This new commitment to the arts allows us to engage our customers in a bold, exciting and often entertaining new way.”

MARTA began developing the arts program in December 2016, when they hired Arts Administrator Katherine Dirga to curate and oversee the transit systems’ program. Since then, MARTA has sought to include commissioned art pieces as well as the performing arts to engage the “region’s diverse artistic community.”

“We are literally watching art come to life as we restore a number of existing transit station art pieces throughout the system,” Dirga, who previously served as manager of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s arts program, said. “Our approach is to install high-quality, captivating pieces that transcend various artistic genres and reflect, in some way, the vibrancy and history of the community.”

By Ellie Ritter, contributor

On Sunday, June 11, Atlanta Streets Alive will come to the Westside neighborhood for the very first time. The event, an initiative of Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (ABC), kicks off at 4 p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m, according to an ABC press release. A four-mile stretch of Howell Mill Road. and Marietta Street will be closed to cars.

Atlanta Streets Alive invites Atlantans to walk, bike, skate or roll on two of Atlanta’s popular streets for an afternoon with no cars around. The event’s goal is to allow residents to “explore community streets in a safer, healthier, more livable way,” according to their website.

The event kicks off at 4 p.m. with the Great Bicycle Parade, which is open to participants of all ages and starts downtown. Afterward, attendees can walk along the route and enjoy family-friendly activities. It will take place in conjunction with the Atlanta Cycling Festival.

ABC is also inviting local businesses and organizations to get involved, taking the opportunity to connect with their community in a new, personal way, the release said. Any organization or group can host one of the many free activities along the route as an “Activity Partner.”

Additionally, businesses along the route can extend onto the sidewalk by setting up cafe tables or displays. To learn more about this opportunity or to sign up, click here.

The featured activities include:

• Artist Showdown: Two artists going head-to-head on 6’ X 6’ canvases
• Face painting
• A mini-race demo of Adult Size Big Wheels
• Live music
• Line Dance and Zumba classes

For more details of this weekend’s Atlanta Streets Alive, and to view the route map, learn more about logistics, and explore ABC’s Atlanta Streets Alive initiative visit their website.

For more details about the parade’s meeting location and theme, visit the Facebook page.

Atlanta BeltLine Inc. is hosting two public meetings in June to give updates about the progress of the Eastside Trail Extension and the project as a whole.

The extension will require closure of the Krog Street Tunnel during the day, ABI says.

“Krog Street tunnel will be temporarily closed for construction of the Eastside Trail Extension,” a press release from ABI says. “The northbound closure is scheduled for June 12-30. The southbound closure is scheduled for July 1-21. Closures will take place between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Traffic control devices and detour routes will be established. Hand rails and lighting will be installed during the closure. Emergency repairs to the speed table on Irwin Street and the Eastside Trail will require a temporary closure of Irwin Street between Sampson Street NE and Krog Street.”

There will be a meeting to discuss that project on June 1 at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at Trees Atlanta, located at 225 Chester Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA 30316.

The ABI quarterly update will take place on June 6  at 6 p.m. at Park Tavern, located at 500 10th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. Here are the flyers for each meeting:

QB Flyer – June 6, 2017

Northeast + Southeast Study Group – EST Krog and Irwin 6.1.17