MARTA Implements Drastic Service Cuts

From MARTA:

MARTA TO IMPLEMENT ESSENTIAL SERVICE PLAN, SHIFT FOCUS TO BUSIEST BUS ROUTES, REQUIRE SOCIAL DISTANCING

Authority will Operate 41 Routes, Double Service on 34 Busiest Routes

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announced it will implement an Essential Service plan that reduces the number of bus routes and allows for a doubling of service on the busiest, most critical routes. This plan keeps MARTA running for health care personnel and other essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Beginning Monday, April 20, MARTA will run 40 bus routes and one new circulator service that provide transportation to 17 hospitals, 22 urgent care centers, 85 grocery stores and 16 job centers/industrial hubs. Buses will be added to the 34 busiest routes. A list and map of the routes are attached.
“This Essential Service plan will serve the largest number of people and with these important destinations in mind, provide as much coverage in our service area as possible,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “This was not an easy decision. I know it will have a negative impact on many bus-dependent areas, but it is necessary to keep MARTA operating and allow space on our busiest routes for customers to practice social distancing.”
Bus ridership, while down 40 percent, remains steady on busy routes, resulting in unacceptable crowding. Rear door boarding, and suspension of bus fares have exacerbated the issue. Despite MARTA’s implementation of several crowding mitigation efforts such as instructing operators to display a ‘Bus Full’ sign when at capacity, a customer hotline to report a full bus and request another, and seat spacing signs to encourage social distancing, there are too many instances of customers ignoring the guidelines.
This Essential Service plan will address crowding by placing MARTA’s entire bus fleet on 41 routes. Decals near the boarding door of all buses will encourage customers NOT to board a bus that has no open seats and to wait for the next bus that will be coming along in most cases within 10 minutes. The MARTA Police Department will dispatch officers to the busiest routes to assist with overcrowding, limiting the number of passengers who board, and escorting off the bus those customers who are joyriding. MPD has also created a mobile team of officers who will respond in real time to bus operators who need assistance.
Rail ridership is down almost 80 percent, leaving room on trains for social distancing. Rail service will continue to operate on a Sunday schedule during weekdays with a start time of 5 a.m.
The Essential Service plan route list, map, and schedule can be found at www.itsmarta.com. For real-time service alerts, follow @MARTASERVICE on Twitter or download MARTA’s On The Go app.

Bus #NameStartsEndsPeak Frequency, minutes
2Ponce de Leon Avenue / Druid HillsEast Lake StationNorth Ave. Station30
4Moreland AvenueInman Park/Reynoldstown StationLeila Valley/Thomasville Heights/Rebel Forest30
5Piedmont Road / Sandy SpringsDunwoody StationLindbergh Station7.5-15
6Clifton Road / EmoryInman Park/Reynodstown StationLindbergh Station30
15Candler RoadDecatur StationRiver Rd. & Linecrest Rd./Bouldercrest Rd.7.5-15
19Clairmont Road / W Howard AveDecatur StationChamblee Station15-30
21Memorial DriveKensington Station5 Points Station10-20
26Marietta Street / Perry Boulevard5 Points StationBankhead Station15-30
39Buford HighwayLindbergh StationDoraville Station7.5-15
40Peachtree Street / DowntownWest End StationArts Center Station15-30
42Pryor RoadLakewood/Ft McPherson Station5 Points Station15-30
49McDonough Boulevard5 Points StationMetro Transition Ctr.7.5-15
50Donald Lee Hollowell ParkwayNorth Ave. StationBankhead Station15-30
51Joseph E Boone BoulevardHE Holmes StationNorth Ave. Station10-20
60Hightower RoadHE Holmes StationMoores Mill Center15-30
71Cascade RoadWest End Station4375 Apt. Complex5-10
73Fulton IndustrialHE Holmes StationLaGrange Blvd. or Westpark Dr.5-10
78Cleveland AvenueEast Point StationCleveland Ave. at Jonesboro Rd.5-10
82Camp Creek / South Fulton ParkwayCollege Park StationDerrick Industrial Pkwy.7.5-15
83Campbellton RoadOakland City StationBarge Road PNR Lot5-10
84Washington Rd / Camp Crk MarketplaceEast Point StationSocial Security Admin. Office10-20
86Fairington RoadKensington StationMall of Stonecrest10-20
89Old National HighwayCollege Park StationUnion City or Riverdale7.5-15
95Metropolitan ParkwayWest End StationCity of Hapeville7.5-15
102North Avenue / Little Five PointsNorth Ave. StationEdgewood Candler Park Station15-30
107GlenwoodGeorgia State StationIndian Creek Station10-20
110Peachtree Road / BuckheadArts Center StationLenox Station7.5-15
111Snapfinger WoodsIndian Creek StationMall of Stonecrest10-20
117Rockbridge Road / Panola RoadAvondale StationXPRESS Panola PNR Lot7.5-15
120East Ponce De Leon AvenueAvondale StationGoldsmith PNR Lot10-20
121Memorial Drive / N Hairston RoadKensington StationN. Royal Atlanta Dr. or Hugh Howell Rd.7.5-15
172Sylvan Road / Virginia AvenueCollege Park StationOakland City Station45
178Empire BoulevardLakewood/Ft McPherson StationHamilton Blvd.22
185AlpharettaN Springs StationOld Milton Pkwy15-30
186Rainbow Drive / South DeKalb5 Points StationSnapfinger Woods Dr.7.5-15
191Riverdale / ATL Intl TerminalLakewood StationClayton Justice Center20-40
192Old Dixie / Tara BoulevardEast Point StationClayton Justice Center22-45
193Morrow / JonesboroEast Point StationClayton Justice Center15-30
196Upper Riverdale / SouthlakeCollege Park StationSouthlake Mall7.5-15
816North Highland Avenue5 Points StationEmory University Hospital30
SpecialOakley Industrial CirculatorCollege Park StationOakley Industrial Boulevard60

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