MARTA marks 40th anniversary of rail service

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) earlier this month celebrated its 40th anniversary of providing rail and bus service. 

Nearly 2,000 Atlanta residents attended a public festival and concert to celebrate the anniversary, and MARTA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Parker addressed more than 130 guests at a stakeholder reception for elected officials, board members and community partners.

During the reception, Parker shared MARTA’s future plans, making note of state-of-good repair projects and expansion, including station enhancements and new rail cars. Additionally, he spoke of streetcar expansion and high-capacity transit commuter rail in Clayton County, MARTA officials said in a press release.

Following the reception, guests rode a train from Georgia State to Avondale, which mimicked MARTA’s first train ride from Avondale to Georgia State in 1979.

The first MARTA train ride was the culmination of support from the General Assembly, which created the Georgia State Study Commission on Rapid Transit; Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter, who signed bills to help fund transit; the U.S. Department of Transportation, which approved a nearly $70 million grant for rapid rail and additional bus routes; and support via local referendums, MARTA officials said.