Resident Sues MARTA for Suspending Bus Service Due to the Coronavirus

A local transit advocate is using legal pressure in an effort to hold the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) accountable for bus transit cuts in the early months of the pandemic.

1 minute read

July 9, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

R32s on the E Train / Wikimedia Commons

"DeKalb County resident Ed Williams has asked a Fulton County Superior Court judge to order the [MARTA] transit agency to restore 70 bus routes it eliminated in April to promote social distancing and focus service on key corridors," reports David Wickert.

"Williams also has filed a complaint with the Federal Transit Administration, saying MARTA’s actions were illegal and disproportionately affected minority customers," adds Wickert.

MARTA eliminated 70 of its 100 bus routes in April, and has already restored some bus service, but has yet to set a timetable to fully restore service. The decision to eliminate service during the pandemic as a result of public health requirements and in response to plummeting ridership has been common among transit systems around the country.

According to Wickert, the lawsuit claims that MARTA lacked the authority to cut service without public input.

FULL STORY: Lawsuit seeks restoration of MARTA bus routes

Wednesday, July 8, 2020 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Transportation Georgia Atlanta Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Public Transit Transit Service Coronavirus COVID 19 Coronavirus and Transportation Transit Planning Lawsuits View More

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