On Monday March 1st and Tuesday, March 2nd, MARTA, will hold the next round of community forums to gather public input regarding development of the Authority’s FY 2011 Budget.

The March 1st meeting will take place at the Maloof Auditorium at 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. The March 2nd meeting will be held at the Adamsville Recreation Center, 3201 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive N.W., Atlanta, GA 30311. Both meetings are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Members of the community are invited to attend either of the two meetings, which will cover the same information.

Due to the severe economic downturn, MARTA has continued to see a large decline in its sales tax revenues and will have to make tough decisions about its fiscal year 2011 budget, which takes effect July 1, 2010.  Sales tax revenue accounts for 52 percent of MARTA’s overall operating budget.

MARTA is currently facing a $120 million budget shortfall and, without a significant and immediate additional investment in public transit, MARTA will be forced to reduce its budget by 25 to 30 percent, which would include significant transit service cuts and employee layoffs.  

During the forums, MARTA officials will share information about the extent of the Authority’s fiscal challenges, the status of the state legislative discussions currently underway, proposed transit service reductions and fare alternatives.  MARTA intends to solicit community input and ensure the public is aware of the agency’s decision-making process and timeframe for preparing and finalizing its FY 2011 budget proposal. 

This is the third installment in a series of community forums that MARTA is hosting over the next two months to gather public feedback on its budget proposals.  The next community forums are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 8th, 2010, at Senior Connections in Chamblee and on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010, at the North Fulton Service Center in Atlanta.

Community members can also submit comments to MARTA by calling 404-848-5026, emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or writing to MARTA's Office of External Affairs at 2424 Piedmont Road, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30324-3330.  Sign language interpreters will be present at all community forums.

DeKalb County Community Forum – Maloof Auditorium

Monday, March 1, 2010, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Maloof Auditorium

1300 Commerce Drive

Decatur, GA 30030

Taking MARTA: One block west of Decatur rail station.

Mobility patrons:  This location is accessible for individuals with disabilities. 

Please give the information above to your reservation agent when booking your trip.

Fulton County Community Forum – Adamsville Recreation Center

Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Adamsville Recreation Center

3201 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive NW

Atlanta, GA 30311-1301

Taking MARTA:  Bus route 73 from H.E. Holmes rail station.

Mobility patrons:  This location is accessible for individuals with disabilities. 

Please give the information above to your reservation agent when booking your trip.