The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, which runs Xpress commuter buses, is reconsidering its decision to cancel free transfers from MARTA and other transit systems. The GRTA board had decided to cancel the free transfers by Oct. 4 as part of cost-cutting measures.
The free transfers will now remain in place until Oct. 29, according to GRTA spokesman William Mecke. In the meantime the GRTA board is reconsidering its vote on that issue, he said.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed last month criticized the decision to end the free transfers, saying it was counterproductive at a time when leaders were trying work toward more seamless regional mass transit service. Mecke on Tuesday confirmed that “it was always one that we had second thoughts about because it is really part of making that seamless regional system.”
GRTA Xpress buses do not have enough money to continue operating next year, and GRTA is looking for cost-cutting measures to keep them afloat through the end of this year. GRTA established the commuter bus program without a permanent funding source. Its startup money is running out, and it will have to shut down within the next fiscal year unless new money appears. The GRTA board is appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
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