ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta’s main transit agency will resume service on 110 bus routes that were suspended last year after the coronavirus pandemic sent revenue and ridership plunging.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will have buses rolling again on the routes in Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties by April 24.
MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker made the announcement on Wednesday to an Atlanta City Council committee, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
MARTA restricted service to 40 key routes last April after ridership declined 40%. The agency also saw a $50 million deficit open in its budget because fares and sales tax collections fell.
The cuts allowed MARTA to double up buses on some remaining routes to ensure social distancing. Some bus routes were restored in October. But the bus route cuts were still reducing mobility for residents dependent on public transportation.
Parker told Atlanta council members Wednesday that MARTA has installed air filters, protective shields for bus drivers and regular cleaning systems to ensure safety. He also said masks are available on all buses in service.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.