Clayton Board Unanimous in MARTA Oversight

As was predicted, yesterday the Clayton County Board of Commissioners accepted the resolutions allowing for MARTA to take over as chief operator and financial manager of C-TRAN. Joel Hall writes:

In a unanimous vote, the board agreed to let the county enter into an agreement with MARTA to provide Clayton County with public transportation services. It also approved resolutions that: established the geographical boundaries of a special tax district at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to fund C-TRAN; and established a one-cent sales tax to be levied on goods within the portions of the airport within Clayton County.

Issues, however, are present with the C-TRAN bus drivers who could possibly lose their jobs due to what they call a "hostile takeover" by MARTA. The bus operators were hired through First Systems, the company which out-bid MARTA in 2004 to run the C-TRAN system.

MARTA officials have not made it clear whether current employees of C-TRAN who worked for First Systems will keep their jobs or not. MARTA will need to address the employee's concerns soon. It would be very bad press if MARTA were to win control of C-TRAN and then fire it's long-term employees.

Source: Joel Hall - Clayton News Daily

DMB and Allman Brothers Show Support for MARTA

The Dave Mathews Band and The Allman Brothers Band are joining forces with 10 other bands in supporting the Piedmont Park Conservancy by hosting a "Green Concert" at Piedmont Park where everyone will leave their cars at home and instead take MARTA. With Dave Mathews Band supporting the use of MARTA rail-fans everywhere can celebrate. Tickets will be released on June 9th for the concert being held at Piedmont Park on September 8th.

Source: The AJC - David Pendered