Atlanta, GA, June 13, 2000-- The Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University will hold a Community and Press Briefing on Wednesday June 14th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to present its findings on the proposed MARTA fare hike. The briefing will be held in Room # 1036 in the Science Research Building at Clark Atlanta University (223 James P. Brawley Drive). The objectives of the briefings are fourfold: (1) to inform the public on why a MARTA fare increase is not required and is not needed in FY01 and FY02; (2) to set the record straight on MARTA's legal mandate re its fare structure and operating costs, i.e., the 35% and 50% test, (3) to present the findings of the center's independent analysis of the MARTA budget structure; and (4) to explore next steps and possible options available to the community groups in light of the upcoming MARTA board vote to be taken on Monday June 19th.

The center's briefing team will be led by Robert D. Bullard, author of the 1997 book Just Transportation: Dismantling Race and Class Barriers to Mobility, who will present an overview of the center's research findings on MARTA. He will be joined by Thomas A. Rubin, a nationally-recognized Oakland, CA-based transportation consultant. Mr. Rubin, who was hired by the center, will present his findings on MARTA's budget structure. Representatives from the Metropolitan Atlanta Transportation Equity Coalition (MATEC) will outline their concerns related to fairness, disparate impact, and potential civil rights implications of MARTA's board actions.

The Atlanta City Council and Fulton County Commissioners voted unanimously against the MARTA fare increase. In light of this action, invitations to the briefings were extended to a wide array of interest and stakeholder groups, including key state legislators who represent the MARTA taxing district of Fulton and DeKalb counties. Confirmations have been received from state representatives, county commissioners, city council persons, civil rights and legal groups, environmental organizations, organized labor, church leaders, universities, student groups, Neighborhood Planning Units, civic associations, homeowners groups, and everyday MARTA users.

Contact:
Marie Green, Environmental Justice Resource Center
(404) 880-6914

 

RESPONSES TO MARTA FARE HIKE

(Compiled by the staff of the Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University)

"We should be proud of having a great transit system. MARTA is the best transit system in the country." (William Mosely, MARTA board chairman and DeKalb resident; statement made at the South DeKalb Town Hall Meeting held May 8, 2000.)

"The MARTA Act requires that the fares cover 35 percent of the prior year's operating expenses. When that hurdle is reached, the authority has no choice but to raise the fare at that time." (Jack Stephens, MARTA interim general manager; statement made at the May 3, 2000 public hearing.)

"MARTA is not in serious need to increase the fares, but because of the two new stations (Sandy Springs and North Springs) soon to be on line, now would be the perfect timing for a fare increase." (Terry L. Griffis, VP of Finance and Administration for MARTA; statement made at a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee (MARTOC) meeting held on May 12, 2000)

"It seems that MARTA's officials deliberately mislead the public regarding the agency's legal mandate and need to raise fares at this time." (Ruth Neal, staff attorney with the Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University)

"There are clear equity impacts related to the proposed MARTA fare hike. Without a doubt, poor people and black people will be hit the hardest. In lieu of fare hikes, the MARTA should initiate an aggressive plan to expand ridership, streamline its administrative staff, acquire more state, regional, and federal funding for public transit, and explore the feasibility of a fare reduction." (Dr. Robert D. Bullard, Director of the Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University and author of the 1997 book Just Transportation: Dismantling Race and Class Barriers to Mobility)

"MARTA will not be in violation of either the 35% Operating Ratio nor the 50% Operating Funding tests for its Fiscal Year 2001 (FY01) Budget if it does not impose the recommended fare increase. Atlantans already pay a high one-way cash fare. Going to a $1.75 fare would definitely set MARTA apart from the pack. Therefore, if the objective is to carry more passengers, a fare decrease is likely to be the most productive and cost-effective methodology available by a wide margin." (Thomas A. Rubin, CPA and nationally-known transportation consultant)

"MARTA should not be allowed to raise its fares at this time. They should reduce fares." (Terry Allen, Chairman of the Metropolitan Atlanta Transportation Equity Coalition or MATEC)

"The five Board members who voted against the proposed fare increases are applauded for allowing for more equitable solutions to be considered. We hope the recommendations we have made are given serious consideration after the board action." (Sherrill Marcus, Metropolitan Atlanta Transportation Equity Coalition and Southern Organizing Committee).

"MARTA fare increase is a complete disrespect for those who depend on mass transportation for their mode of transportation. I would like to see our state legislators take the leadership to remove Gwinnett and Clayton members off the MARTA Board. " (John Evans, DeKalb NAACP)

"It really is about race. There are two people on the MARTA board that should not be there. Gwinnett and Clayton don't want MARTA. It is a case of representation without taxation. Clayton and Gwinnett should pay their money and this thing would be solved." (Joe Beasley, National Rainbow Coalition)

"This whole thing is about race. Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton don't want MARTA and poor or black people. I can't imagine MARTA saying we will raise the fare on the core of this proposed regional transportation system we plan to have." (James E. "Billy" McKinney, State Senator)

"MARTA should insure that all avenues have been exhausted before initiating a fare increase. There presently are many questions as to whether that has been done." (Vernon Jones, State Representative).

"South DeKalb residents have not been active participants in the Atlanta metropolitan transportation decision-making process. This must change." (Henrietta Turnquest, State Representative)

"The impact of a MARTA fare increase on the working poor would be disastrous. MARTA should work to ensure that all alternatives have been exhausted, and work with state, local and federal officials to find resources for MARTA." (Vincent Fort, State Senator)

"I can appreciate the fiscal situation that MARTA finds itself in. But in all fairness to working class and poor people who are the financial mainstay of the MARTA System, I along with my other Atlanta City Council colleagues urge MARTA not to raise their fare but to look at alternative ways of financing. Some of these initiatives could include parking fees or other creative initiatives." ("Able" Mable Thomas, Atlanta City Councilwoman)

"The opening of the new stations (Sandy Springs and North Springs) is the cause of the problem. MARTA officials should consider not opening these stations until the money is there to operate them." (Reverend Fred Taylor, Southern Christian Leadership Conference)

"You can't get there on MARTA. MARTA needs to concentrate on improving services and take care of its loyal customers." (Jennifer Parker, editor of South DeKalb Crossroads magazine)

"By insisting on this fare increase, MARTA has violated the trust placed in it by the citizens of Fulton and DeKalb counties to have an affordable and safe transit system. We had to resort to public protests to alert citizens about the proposed fare increase." (Flora M. Tommie, a MARTA rider since 1983 and an active member of Atlanta's NPU-X)

"Ben Hill community residents in Southwest Atlanta do not support the MARTA board proposed fare increase. We suggest that the MARTA board look at other alternatives to balance its budget shortfall." (Irving O. Harris, Campbellton Road Coalition and NPU-P)

"The Atlanta region needs a transit system that is affordable and provides excellent connections throughout the region. Increasing fares will make the system less affordable. This is a critical concern for the low- income and transit dependent." (Bryan Hager, Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club)

"Environmental Defense opposes the proposed fare increase for MARTA because it would be inefficient, environmentally destructive and inequitable. Rather than increasing fares, MARTA should be contemplating lower fares to encourage people to use transit. Higher transit use would result in less congestion, cleaner air, and less consumption of natural resources like gasoline. " (Robert Garcia, Senior Attorney and Director, Environmental Defense-formerly known as Environmental Defense Fund-Los Angeles Project Office)

"Now that MARTA is expanding into the suburbs and becoming a regional system, it needs to get help from the State of Georgia. The cost cannot be borne by Fulton and DeKalb counties alone." ( Sally Flocks, Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety, Inc.)

"In Atlanta, we definitely need people out of their cars, but related mass transit projects should not be financed by the elderly, the poor, minorities, and the transit dependent population." (Goro Mitchell, Southern Center for Studies in Public Policy at Clark Atlanta University)

"The current $1.50 fare is okay but $1.75 is way too much. People who depend on MARTA to get to work, school, and shop cannot pay that kind of money. If they can afford this increase in the MARTA fare, then they can afford a car. Most people who are dependent on public transportation only make minimum wage or slightly above minimum wages." (Joy Johnson, Clayton County Resident currently not being served by any public transportation system)

"This proposed fare hike is a blatant incentive for driving and parking for those who can afford it!" (Dale Roberts, Clark Atlanta University Graduate Student)

"MARTA should improve the services at its stations such as cleanliness and make sure the surveillance cameras are in operation from the Kensington Transit Station (east line) to Hamilton E. Holmes Transit Station (west line)." (Kendra Vann, Clark Atlanta University Graduate Student)

"Why does the quality of the MARTA service improve as one goes to the northern suburbs? The MARTA board needs to address these questions first before they vote on the one-way cash fare." (Ryan Williams, Clark Atlanta University Graduate Student)

"MARTA should charge for parking at its lots. This way they would not have to raise fares." (Sharon Collins, NPU-V)

"We don't want a fare increase because MARTA doesn't serve our area. People have to walk to Lynhurst and Spreading Oaks." (Rev. Juner Norris, NPU-I)

"We serve low-income fathers and families that are dependent on the MARTA system. Fare hikes will not help these folks who are struggling to meet basic needs. To raise fares at such as high rate will give less hope for those moving from welfare to work. Downsize staff like other organizations do." (Cozell Harris, director, Fathers' Resource Center)

"It seems that everything else is going up except for paychecks. MARTA should reconsider this, because the funds are not there for people to exercise. Seniors don't get increases like others do. With the increase it will put a burden on people who can't afford it. If they're going to increase anything, they should increase security at their stations." (Gladys Taylor, Neighbors for a Better Community)

"I don't understand why the fares are going up. The fares are already high. There are senior citizens who have to go to the doctor and even with a cut in their fares, it is still unaffordable for them" (Mattie Wells, President, Carver Hills Association)

"I don't think we should have a fare increase now, it won't serve the people of the community who already can't afford the current fare." (Valena Henderson, President, Wheat Street Gardens Tenants Association)

"In our community at Bankhead, we have mostly young, single mothers on welfare with three to four children. That's extra money in fares that they probably do not have." (Lilly Caldwell, President, Bankhead Courts Tenants Association)

"I feel that the MARTA fare should not increase because the majority of persons who ride MARTA are low-income, elderly and on a fixed income. The fare increase would work a hardship on these people, since this is their only means of transportation." (Larry Phillips, Sr., NPU-H)

"Well it's a shame that we are already struggling to pay bills. The proposed fare hike will impact poor people the most because they could use their 25 cents for another bill." (JerMario Jackson, Harris Homes resident)

"If the MARTA board votes yes to raise the one-way cash fare, they are taking a big risk of losing a lot of their customers." (Yolanda Bolston, Grady Homes)

"MARTA is being greedy to raise the one-way fare." (Gregory Butts, Summerhill resident)

"The MARTA fare is already high enough, so I urge the MARTA board to vote 'NO' to the proposed fare increase."(Keyshana Ferrell, University Homes resident)

"Poor people should not have to pay more to ride MARTA."(Izear White, Summerhill resident)

"The proposed 25 cents fare increase is enough to force some people to walk instead of riding the MARTA." (Toussiant Smith, Near Barge Road resident)

"MARTA riders and their families cannot afford to pay the extra twenty-five cents to ride MARTA as recommended by the MARTA board. MARTA should improve the bus and train services in black neighborhoods." (Lakeda White, Capital Homes resident)

" I don't understand the reason behind the proposed one-way cash fare increase. In Providence, Rhode Island a child does not have to pay for the bus until he or she is 7 years old. In Atlanta, Georgia as early as 3 years old, a child has to pay to ride MARTA." (Priscilla Hall, Capitol Homes resident)

"If the MARTA board approves the one-way cash fare increase, poor people will be the victims of a transportation system with poor and inefficient services." (Juahman White, Summerhills resident)

"I oppose the MARTA fare increase because MARTA does not provide services for transit dependent riders to shop, recreate, visit the doctor, or get to certain jobs in the Atlanta metropolitan area. (Brandon Hughes, Near Barge Road Highrise)

"I say NO to the proposed MARTA fare increase because MARTA is my only source of transportation to get to school and I cannot afford to pay $1.75 to ride MARTA."(Tara Moody, Bankhead Courts resident)

"A $1.50 is already hard to come by and with the proposed fare increase the twenty-five cents will be impossible for many people to get since they work minimum wage jobs." (Ronald Allen, Harris Homes resident)

"The money I pay for roundtrip transportation to get back and forth to school is $3.00. With this proposed fare increase, MARTA is pricing itself way out of my range." (Demetrise Robinson, Summerhill resident)

"It is not fair for transit dependent people to pay a $1.75 to ride the MARTA." (Takeisha Clark, Harris Homes resident)

"The proposed fare increase is ridiculous because of poor services in some communities and the lack of MARTA services on Sundays." (Frederick Ellis, MARTA rider and Englewood resident)

" To state it simply, the proposed MARTA fare is ridiculous, unfair, and unjust."(Antonio Hester, MARTA rider and Harris Homes resident)