MARTA eyeing higher fares, service cuts - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

xoqylyjibo.wordpress.com
The panel voted to raise basic farex by25 cents, from $1.75 to $2, effective with the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Parkin fees at nine lots also would goup $1. On the servicde side, MARTA trains would stop runningfat midnight, while non-productivr bus routes would be eliminated. MARTAq officials have warned for monthw that higher fares and servicee reductions would be needed to fill a projectef 2010budget shortfall, even with $25 million in economic stimulus funding the voted this week to provide MARTA. The federal approved by the ARC board on will help MARTA offset slumping sales tax revenues resultingg fromthe recession.
“While we’re tremendously thankful to ekethrough one-time measures aren’t real long-term funding solutions,” said Beverlt Scott, MARTA’s general manager and CEO. MARTA will hold publid hearings on the recommended fare increases and servicde cuts on June 16and 17. The agency’sa full board of directors is expected to vote on the changeas onJune 22.