Transit

The intersection where Alexia Hyneman was killed.

Grady High School will hold a “Rally 4 Safe Streets” tomorrow on the third anniversary of the fatal crash that took the life of Alexia Hyneman. The student was struck by a car while biking across the nearby intersection of 10^th Street and Monroe Drive.

The rally is organized by the Grady Pedestrian Safety Coalition, a student-led group that advocates for making streets near schools safer – starting with Monroe Drive. According to program materials, the Renew Atlanta Complete Streets projects were slated to address dangerous conditions, but little progress has been made to date.

The program will include speakers from the coalition, remarks from Hyneman’s father, and an address from Councilmember Jennifer Ide, who will outline the steps the council is taking to make Monroe Drive safer, according to program materials. The coalition will also make clear the next steps community members can take to advocate for safer streets, and will conclude with a memorial for Hyenman.

The rally will be held Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Grady High School Auditorium.

Image courtesy of MARTA.

The Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) moved over half a million customers during the three-day Super Bowl weekend.

Saturday was MARTA’s busiest travel day in decades, with an estimated 270,000 rail riders, according to MARTA materials. This is more than double the number seen on a typical Saturday.

For the most part, trains ran a 24-hour-a-day schedule for 3 straight days without any problems or interruptions. David Springstead, MARTA’s chief of rail operations said in a statement this shows the preparedness of the transit authority as well as the commitment of its employees.

“We had two minor issues, one involving a trespasser near the tracks and another caused by a small fire on adjacent CSX property, where we implemented our contingency plans and minimized the service impact to our customers,” Springstead said in a statement. “On Sunday, the MARTA team worked quickly and efficiently to clear large crowds within 90 minutes of the end of the game.”

On the day of the Super Bowl, 155,000 customers took to the rail lines to enjoy the numerous activities downtown and see the game. According to MARTA materials, riders were greeted by more than 600 transit ambassadors working the authority’s 38 rail stations. These re-deployed administrative employees worked over a combined total of 3,000 hours during the ten-day operational period to help residents and visitors alike enjoy the celebration.

“I am proud of how Team MARTA handled these record crowds,” Jeffery Parker, MARTA’s general manager and CEO said in a statement. “We set a new standard in service this weekend and we want to maintain that as we move forward as an organization.”

Image via the city’s Super Bowl website.

Although the big game is still a few weeks away, Super Bowl-related road closures in the city will begin on Monday, Jan. 21. and will continue through Friday, Feb. 8

According to city materials, the imminent closures include:

Monday, January 21 through Friday, February 8

• Baker St. NW will be closed between Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW and Luckie St. NW.

Monday, January 21 through Thursday, February 7

• Mitchell St. SW will be closed between MLK Jr. Dr. SW (South) to Elliot St SW.
• Mangum St. will be closed between Markham St to Foundry St.
• MLK Jr. Dr. SW (South) will be closed between Northside Dr. NW to Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW

Wednesday, January 23 through Thursday, February 7

• Andrew Young International Blvd. NW will be closed between Marietta St. NW and Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW.

Additional road closures will go into effect as the event draws closer. More information can be found here.

“We encourage the use of MARTA and ride share companies to reduce traffic in the affected areas,” Sgt. John Chafee of the Atlanta Police Department’s Public Affairs unit said in a statement. “Please plan ahead and give yourself more time to reach destinations around these areas.”

Image via Wikipedia.

A derailed train is causing headaches for Atlanta’s rail commuters.

Two Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) cars on an out-of-service train derailed last night around 9 p.m., Stephany Fisher, a MARTA spokesperson told Atlanta Loop. There were no passengers on board and the rail operator was not injured. Information as to what caused the derailment was not immediately available.

MARTA crews and Atlanta Police have been working assess the situation, develop a plan to remove the disabled cars and integrate a service plan as quickly and as safely as possible, Fisher said. It was determined that a crane will need to be used to place one of the disabled rail cars back on the track, but that crane won’t be available until Thursday morning.

All southbound service is terminating at College Park Station and a shuttle train and shuttle buses are providing service between College Park and Airport Station, Fisher said. Once all the cars have been moved, full rail service to the airport will be restored.

The train and bus shuttles will continue as long as needed, but MARTA is encouraging people to allow 20-30 minutes of extra travel time if you’re planning on taking the service to or from the airport.

Image via Wikipedia.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will be holding public hearings next week to discuss proposed bus service changes.

The following routes will be discussed: Route 49: McDonough Boulevard; Route 50: Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway; Route 850: Carroll Heights/Fairburn Heights; Route 853: Collier Heights. According to MARTA materials, representatives will be on site for community exchange sessions that start at 6 p.m., followed by public hearings at 7 p.m.

The hearings will be held at the following locations on the following dates:

Tuesday, Jan. 22
Clayton County Commission Chambers
Riding MARTA: Route 193

Wednesday, Jan. 23
Decatur Library Auditorium
Riding MARTA: Blue Line to Decatur Station; exit onto Church St. and continue one block east

Thursday, Jan. 24
Fulton County Assembly Hall
Riding MARTA: Bus Routes 21, 42, and 55

Topics of discussion will include scheduling, on-time performance, ridership and safety, according to MARTA materials. Copies of the proposed bus service modifications can be found on www.itsmarta.com. These modifications were based on feedback received from customers and the authority’s service analysis.

All changes will be accepted by MARTA’s board of directors, and will become effective April 13, 2019, according to MARTA materials.

MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffery Parker. Image via MARTA.

At the 6^th annual State of MARTA Breakfast, the transit authority’s General Manager and CEO Jeffery Parker shared a bold vision for the future of public transportation in the metro area.

At the meeting, Parker declared the MARTA is financially stable and prime for expansion, according to program materials. He renewed the transit authority’s commitment to customer service and expansion as a catalyst for economic and community. However, to keep Atlanta thriving, Parker said more investment must be made in its transit system.

“The greater Atlanta region is projected to grow in population by 50 percent over the next 30 years. That’s essentially adding Denver’s current population to the metro region,” Parker said at the meeting. “We have to make bold decisions now that include a landmark investment in our transit network to fund innovative solutions for our traffic woes and renew our commitment to future generations.”

He urged the crowd of community, business and civic leaders to support a $100 billion investment in transit and related technology over the next 40 years, informed by similar plans in cities like Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington D.C., according to program materials. He said Atlanta needs a “moonshot for transit” to keep the region ahead of the curve.

Specifically, Parker announced several priority initiatives for MARTA, including:

• Establishing a Rider Advisory Council to provide customers with a formal voice to make improvements to the transit system.
• Hiring a Chief Customer Experience Officer to represent customers internally.
• Launching a multi-year initiative to renovate all 38 MARTA stations through a comprehensive enhancement program.
• Ensuring integrated transit-oriented development at stations that support jurisdictional priorities around economic development, housing and community engagement.
• Implementing a training strategy for frontline employees and management to improve customer service.
• Creating a station manager career track for frontline employees who deal directly with customers.

“It really takes our employees, business leaders, elected officials and our riders coming together to help make MARTA stronger,” Freda Hardage, MARTA’s recently appointed board chair, said in a statement. “My predecessor Robbie Ashe did a yeoman’s job leading MARTA’s Board of Directors while working closely with all of our stakeholders and leadership across the state to advance regional mobility and accessibility. Today, we renewed our commitment to build upon that same dynamic zeal as we look to the next 40 years for MARTA.”

Image via Emory University.

Two new bicycle and pedestrian paths are in the works to connect the South Peachtree Creek PATH trail system to the heart of Emory University’s campus.

Through a partnership between the university and Atlanta’s PATH foundation, cyclists and walkers will be able to follow the existing bike route along Starvine Way from Emory’s Clairmont campus to the entrance to the new PATH network, which will begin at Andrew’s Circle and Haygood Drive, according to program materials.

Turning right will lead to the Woodruff Heath Sciences Building and Emory’s new Student Life Center, program materials indicate. Turning left will take walkers and cyclists along North Decatur Road, past Druid Hills High School, ultimately terminating at the Emory School of law.

“One of our goals is to connect all of Atlanta’s major universities to the PATH system,” Ed McBrayer, executive director of the PATH foundation said in a statement. “With these new trails, the Emory community will have a safe, desirable connection that’s separated from traffic, from North Druid Hills and Medlock Park all the way onto Clifton and North Decatur roads, and that’s a substantial achievement.”

Construction will begin in May 2019, and the system should be fully operational when students return in the fall, according to program materials. The goal is to encourage cycling and walking by providing safe alternatives and generate greater connectivity throughout the Emory campus.

Bird scooters. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Earlier this week the city passed new rules regulating scooter use.

Bird, Lime, Jump and other electronic electric scooters that are scattered throughout the city will now be banned on sidewalks, according to the ordinance passed Monday. The scooters will now only be allowed on streets, bike lanes and shared-use paths.

Additionally, companies will be required to pay a $12,000 annual fee for a 500-scooter fleet, with an additional $50 paid per additional scooter, according to the ordinance. A 15 mile-per-hour speed limit will be enforced, and companies will be responsible for educating riders on proper parking, operations and helmet usage.

Companies operating scooters will also need to have a plan for sustainability measures when disposing of broken down scooters, the ordinance indicates.

The new rules focus mainly on the companies that operate the fleets, placing the responsibility for safe riding habits on them, rather than riders themselves according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. There are no fines for riders who ignore the recommendations.

To develop the ordinance, Atlanta took into consideration similar measures passed in Seattle, Chicago and San Francisco, the AJC reports. Since hitting city streets in the spring and summer of last year, the dockless scooters have been lauded and lambasted. Some say they cut down on traffic by providing more mobility options, others argue they restrict access to businesses by crowding sidewalks and are a nuance to pedestrians.

Not everyone is convinced the new regulations will help scooter-pedestrian relations. Rebecca Serna, executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, said scooter riders will continue to use sidewalks because the city streets are in such a state of ill repair, and aren’t welcoming to any vehicles besides cars. “They are going to do it on the sidewalks as long as they don’t feel safe in the streets,” she told the AJC.