advertisement

---

Facing a $54 million fiscal-year 2005 budget shortfall, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) plans to cut service — but so far, none of the authority’s expense reductions are aimed at rail.

The agency has experienced budget shortfalls the past several years due to sales-tax revenue and ridership declines. But neighboring communities continue to rely on the authority’s rail system to help provide commuter service.

During the past three years, the agency has saved about $36 million by eliminating vacant positions, implementing voluntary wage concessions and adjusting service to enhance efficiency.

Later this month, MARTA will hold public hearings to gather input on proposed modifications to the authority’s bus service, which would merge underused and duplicated routes with others. The authority promised passengers it wouldn’t raise fares, so cutting service is necessary, MARTA officials said in a statement.