Latest news with #MetropolitanAtlantaRapidTransitAuthority
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MARTA board approves $1.5B budget focused on improving safety, reliability and cleanliness
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors adopted the Authority's Fiscal Year 2026 Operating and Capital Budget on Wednesday of $1.55 billion. According to MARTA officials, the budget includes $652 million in net operating funds and $901.8 million for capital programming, $115 million for the new trains, $104 million for the implementation of the new fare system. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] MARTA officials say they are balancing the budget for the 14th consecutive year without a fare increase. 'The next fiscal year will be one of incredible improvement, with systemwide once-in-a-generation investments that ensure a safer, cleaner, more reliable MARTA,' said General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. Greenwood says customers will see state-of-the-art railcars, a redesigned bus network that increases service frequency and a better and more flexible Breeze system. 'Customers will see new state-of-the-art railcars, a better, more flexible Breeze system, and an entirely redesigned bus network that increases service frequency.' TRENDING STORIES: Henry County teen who survived tornado speaks for first time in new video Retired Gwinnett couple put out warning after being scammed out of $800K in crypto scheme SCOTUS rules on lawsuit from Atlanta family whose home was wrongly raided by the FBI MARTA officials point to the capital improvement program and projects including the Rapid A-Line in Summerhill and the Five Points Station Transformation, the Bankhead Station platform extension, and Cleveland/Metropolitan Avenue Arterial Rapid Transit (ART). 'By keeping safe, clean, and reliable as our north star, we were able to focus on necessary system improvements while remaining good stewards of public money,' said MARTA Board Chair Jennifer Ide. Ide adds that MARTA is committed to increasing ridership and maintaining good relationship with jurisdictional partners. In addition, the budget includes nearly $50 million for the ongoing Station Rehabilitation Program which is a multi-year project that will enhance safety, cleanliness, and reliability, and the overall customer experience at all 38 rail stations. To view MARTA's FY 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets in detail visit MARTA. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The 10 cities best prepared for a ‘smart city future'
This story was originally published on Smart Cities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Smart Cities Dive newsletter. Atlanta beat out coastal tech havens like San Jose, California, and Boston to rank as the top U.S. city for a 'smart city future' in ProptechOS' 2025 Smart City Index. The annual ranking is based on metrics related to each city's tech infrastructure and connectivity, sustainability and tech job market. 'Some of the benefits of scoring highly on these metrics for local citizens are that they can enjoy better public services, transport, security, economic opportunities and less air pollution,' according to ProptechOS, a software company based in Stockholm. Atlanta climbed from 10th place in last year's index, where Seattle took the top spot. This embedded content is not available in your region. In the latest ranking, Atlanta scored 88 out of 100 for tech infrastructure and 82 for its tech job market, with 643 tech jobs advertised per 10,000 people, according to the study. 'Atlanta has the fourth-highest internet download and upload speeds of any major U.S. city,' ProptechOS stated. 'Relative to its population size, Atlanta also boasts the third-highest number of companies dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT) and the fifth-highest number of artificial intelligence companies.' Atlanta has long been on a path toward strengthening its smart city status, joining the White House's Smart Cities Initiative in 2015 and partnering with the Georgia Institute of Technology on smart city initiatives to ease traffic congestion, promote public safety and improve the city's environmental sustainability. The city's North Avenue Smart Corridor Project was recognized by the International Smart City Expo as a 'living lab for active, multi-modal traffic management through technology deployment and data analytics.' Atlanta also met its Better Buildings Challenge goal two years ahead of schedule, reducing the city's energy consumption by 20% in 2019 and saving 1.3 billion gallons of water. In May 2024 the city began enhancing its customer-facing digital products, including station screens and the mobile app for its Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, a project expected to wrap up this June. While Atlanta dominated overall in the 2025 Smart City Index, San Francisco topped the list of cities with the best environmental metrics, in part due to its number and density of EV charging stations and LEED-certified green buildings. Oakland, California, scored highest on the index (98 out of 100) for its number of tech jobs, with 889 tech jobs per 10,000 people — enough tech jobs for approximately 10% of the city's population, according to the study. The index also ranked European smart cities in 2025, awarding Paris top billing, followed by Stockholm; Amsterdam; Munich; and Lisbon, Portugal. Ryan Kushner is an editor of American City & County, which is also under Smart Cities Dive's parent company, Informa TechTarget. Recommended Reading 6 smart cities trends to watch in 2025
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Georgia Issues Update on Major High-Speed Rail Project
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Georgia transportation officials are advancing plans for a high-speed rail line connecting Atlanta and Savannah, after holding a public feedback report on the idea. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has launched a feasibility study into the project that would cut travel time and costs between two major hubs, and become part of the Corridor Identification and Development program, which is expanding high-speed rail networks across the country. Newsweek contacted the GDOT for more information on the new study via email. Why It Matters If managed correctly, Atlanta could become a hub for high-speed rail in the Southeast, as several other projects are revolving around the city as part of the Corridor Identification and Development program. The federally managed initiative is investigating the possibility of routes from Atlanta to Charlotte, North Carolina, and from, Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tennessee, which would be in turn connected to Memphis. What To Know The new report, released on Saturday, would determine the best way to approach building a high-speed rail line that would connect Atlanta's metropolitan area, the largest in the state, to Savannah, which is a distance of roughly 250 miles. GDOT identified the route as a potential corridor for passenger and economic demand, after more than 4,000 responses were given at an initial public interest forum hosted in January. A preliminary outline listed stops in Macon, Dublin, and other communities between the two cities. An elevated train station in Atlanta, serving the Blue, Green Lines of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, on 24 December, 2024. An elevated train station in Atlanta, serving the Blue, Green Lines of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, on 24 December, 2024. Getty Images Like with many other high-speed rail projects in other parts of the country, funding remains a huge hurdle, and federal grant applications are in progress as Georgia seeks to leverage recent infrastructure legislation passed by Congress. Currently, $10 million in planning money has been allocated for the study, consisting of an $8-million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration and a $2-million state match. What People Are Saying The Georgia Department of Transportation said in documents on the feasibility report: "The purpose of the project is to establish a safe, reliable, high-capacity, and resilient intercity passenger rail service between the Atlanta and Savannah metro areas and travel markets in between." "The service would support regional and local economic development, enhance access to educational and employment opportunities, facilitate connections to existing multimodal transportation networks (including transit, airports, and passenger rail), support efficient freight movement in the state, and improve critical transportation links to rural and disadvantaged populations. "The project would present a safe, reliable, high-capacity, competitive, and resilient transportation alternative that is feasible, implementable, and cost-effective." What Happens Next According to GDOT's timeline, environmental and financial planning will take place through to 2026, with further planning on implementation taking place after that.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MARTA resumes $230M Five Points Station overhaul: What this means to riders
The Brief Construction on Five Points Station resumes on May 17, focusing on transforming it into a "vibrant city center" with improved connectivity, safety, and amenities. Major downtown bus route detours will occur, with several MARTA routes rerouted or terminating at different stations to accommodate construction. The project is funded by the More MARTA Atlanta half-penny sales tax, $13.8 million from Georgia, and a $25 million federal RAISE Grant. ATLANTA - The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will resume construction on its $230 million transformation of Five Points Station on May 17. This will trigger major downtown bus route detours. PREVIOUS: MARTA to move forward with Five Points project after reaching agreement with city What we know The long-anticipated overhaul, paused last summer for further planning, begins with the deconstruction and removal of the station's concrete canopy. The project aims to turn Atlanta's busiest transit hub into a "vibrant city center" with upgraded connectivity, enhanced safety, and new customer amenities. What They're Saying "During deconstruction, street-level station and elevator access, as well as bus access, will be maintained on Forsyth Street," MARTA said in a statement. "Rail service and transfers are not impacted and will operate as scheduled." What you can do Starting May 17, several MARTA routes will be rerouted or will terminate at different stations to accommodate construction activity: Routes stopping at Five Points on Forsyth Street: 3 – Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Auburn Avenue 40 – Peachtree Street/Downtown 813 – Atlanta University Center 21 – Memorial Drive 49 – McDonough Boulevard 55 – Jonesboro Road 107 – Glenwood 186 – Rainbow Road Drive/South DeKalb Routes detoured from Five Points: 26 – Marietta Street/Perry Boulevard 42 – Pryor Road 816 – North Highland Avenue New Termination Points: Georgia State Station:21, 42, 49, 55, 107, 186 King Memorial Station:26, 813, 899 – Old Fourth Ward Civic Center Station:816 Bus routes operated by regional partners CobbLinc, Ride Gwinnett, and Xpress will continue to run on their normal schedules. Details on rail station entrance closures (Alabama Street, Broad Street Plaza, and Peachtree Street) and office relocations will be shared when finalized. Dig deeper Beyond the canopy demolition, future phases of the Five Points project include construction of a new canopy, improvements to the centralized bus hub, a pedestrian corridor to Broad Street, and the addition of community spaces, public art, and even urban agriculture. The project is funded primarily through the More MARTA Atlanta half-penny sales tax, along with $13.8 million from the state of Georgia and a $25 million federal RAISE Grant. SEE ALSO: MARTA board chairwoman questions agency's leadership after audits Does MARTA owe Atlanta $70M? New report claims 2024 audit is wrong Fewer Atlantans are taking the train, but MARTA says numbers are off State of MARTA 2025: New train car unveiled as transit leaders look towards future MARTA launches new merch store for transit fans The Source The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority provided the details for this article.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MARTA wants public input on its NextGen Bus Network draft plan
ATLANTA - The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is asking for community feedback on its NextGen Bus Network draft plan, a proposed redesign of more than 100 bus routes aimed at improving efficiency and service across the region. To gather public input, MARTA is hosting 18 in-person and virtual meetings over the next two weeks. These meetings will give residents the opportunity to review the draft plan, ask questions, and share their thoughts on the proposed changes. Click here for the schedule. In addition to the meetings, MARTA is offering an online survey where community members can provide feedback on the NextGen Bus Network. The redesign is part of MARTA's efforts to create a smarter, faster, and more reliable transit system that meets the evolving needs of metro Atlanta riders.
