MARTA legislation good for economy, environment

As the chairman of MARTA’s board of directors, I seldom feel compelled to speak publicly about the affairs of the authority. MARTA’s current fiscal crisis, however, is so dire that it would be irresponsible of me not to explain the drastic cuts to service we will have to make if MARTA does not receive immediate short-range and long-term financial support. Without it, it is hard to comprehend the magnitude of service cuts we will have to implement to survive the current economic recession and to remain viable.

For fiscal year 2010, the authority may have to reduce service by 20 to 25 percent. This could mean closing down entire segments of the system. Such far-reaching cuts also mean that businesses throughout metro Atlanta will suffer from a less mobile work force. On the flip side, some workers will struggle to keep their jobs because they will not have a reliable source of transportation. The region’s already poor air quality will worsen as pollution increases from additional cars being forced onto the already clogged highways. The health of citizens dependent on transit could be jeopardized as their means of transportation is eliminated, adversely affecting the public health and welfare of the entire region. Thousands of senior and disabled residents with limited mobility will be similarly impacted. Additionally, thousands of college students who do not have cars will have to find alternative transportation to and from their college campuses. The impact of service cuts will be severe, but they can be avoided.

There are several pieces of legislation in the state Legislature that could provide long-term funding solutions for MARTA. They propose establishing state or regional transportation funding structures, which are critical to the long-term wellbeing of MARTA and other public transportation agencies in the state. Other legislation would provide short-term “self-help” measures specific to MARTA. Senate Bill 120 eliminates the state-mandated 50-50 capital and operating split on MARTA’s sales tax revenue and allows MARTA’s interest income from capital funds to be used for operations. Senate Bill 89 amends the state’s “zero tolerance” statute to allow food and drink to be sold in MARTA’s stations.

This self-help legislative agenda gives MARTA the flexibility to use all of its sales tax revenue for operations and capital as needed and also creates new opportunities to generate revenue. MARTA will not be able to remain as it is without passage of all its “self-help” legislation as well as the transportation funding legislation.

MARTA is the only major transit authority in the nation that receives no state funding; yet, according to data collected by the Federal Transit Administration, the authority is at, or near the top of, the list in cost efficiency and effectiveness rankings that report national data among transit authorities. A recent national labor report shows MARTA’s represented employees are among the lowest paid in the nation’s public transit industry. Nonetheless, every day on MARTA, over a half million boardings help people get to various destinations by providing a much-needed service to the region.

As a longtime resident of Atlanta, I have proudly witnessed the exceptional growth and economic prosperity of our region. I have watched how Atlanta became a city of international prominence, attracting Fortune 500 businesses and major national and world events.

During this difficult economic time, it is important that we recall the contributions MARTA has made in this process. We simply cannot afford to let this critical regional asset be dismantled. But if the state does not support MARTA, this is the reality we face.

I cannot overstate the dire need for the state to step up to the plate and provide support for this valuable asset to our region. Our need is urgent. It is critical to the people of the Atlanta region, our environment and our economy that the state acts now to help MARTA pull through this crisis.

• Michael Walls is chairman of the board of directors for MARTA.