FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December
14, 2021
MARTA BUS SERVICE MODIFICATIONS TAKE
EFFECT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18
Majority of Routes to Run on
Saturday Schedule; MARTAConnect Available for Early Morning Commuters
ATLANTA - The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit
Authority (MARTA) will make temporary modifications to bus service beginning Saturday,
Dec. 18, to address a shortage of bus operators. All 113 current bus routes
will remain operational, with the majority operating on a Saturday schedule.
The following routes will operate on a weekday schedule:
5, 39, 71, 73, 78, 83, 89, 110, 121, 142, 143, 148, 186, 196, 221, 295, and
825. All other routes will follow Saturday schedules on weekdays starting Dec.
18.
MARTA is offering a rideshare discount through its
MARTAConnect program to address early morning gaps in service. Beginning
Monday, Dec. 20, customers may receive up to $15 off rideshare trips in MARTA’s
service area Monday through Friday from 4 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. We will monitor the
impacts of the service, demand for rideshare, and our ability to increase
routes and adjust the discount mid-January. For information on how to claim a
rideshare discount visit www.itsmarta.com.
Similar to many industries right now, MARTA
is dealing with staff shortages due to COVID-19. Recruitment has not kept
pace with attrition, and some employees are refusing to get vaccinated or
submit weekly test results per MARTA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, leading to
more vacancies. Absenteeism among remaining operators is high, resulting in
cancelled routes or last-minute schedule changes that impact service
reliability.
“We have to provide reliable
service, it’s that simple,” said MARTA Deputy General Manager of Operations
Collie Greenwood. “Adjusting our service schedule was a difficult decision, but
a necessary one so our customers can count on their bus to be there. We expect
to return to our regular service soon and we ask that customers remain patient
as we work to hire qualified bus operators.”
MARTA
budgets for 1,366 full-time bus operators and currently has approximately 1,179
on staff, representing a 14 percent deficit. MARTA is actively recruiting bus
operators through every available channel and holding monthly job fairs to
bring those numbers up. Additionally, MARTA is offering a $3,000 sign on bonus
for bus operators and journeyman bus technicians. All new hires must be
vaccinated against COVID-19. Apply to join the MARTA team here MARTA (itsmarta.com).
Also
beginning Dec. 18, the following bus routes will have routing changes: 12, 27,
89, 121, 194, and 196. This is part of MARTA’s routine route adjustment and is
not associated with the switch to a Saturday schedule.
For
information on the all the bus service adjustments visit MARTA
(itsmarta.com). Bus route schedules will be updated on www.itsmarta.com and the MARTA On the Go app beginning
Saturday, Dec. 18th.
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