Atlanta: Lawmakers make step toward privatization at MARTA

[marmar]

By Steve Visser
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


MARTA, the backbone of public transit in metro Atlanta, on Thursday moved a step closer to privatization in an effort to put the troubled agency on a firmer financial footing.

Legislation was passed by state representatives that required the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority to privatize major functions — from payroll and cleaning to paratransit services. The reform also requires moving new employees from a pension to a 401(k) retirement plan and capping the heavily indebted agency’s bond debt at 35 percent of sales tax collections. Some aspects may run afoul federal rules, putting critical federal grants at risk.

The bill was approved by a vote of 113-57, with mostly Republicans voting in favor and Democrats voting against, and sent to the state senate, which can modify it.

“Marta should be the crown jewel of Georgia’s capital city poised for growth, ” said state Rep. Mike Jacobs, R-Brookhaven, who chairs the legislative oversight committee for MARTA. “Instead, it is an authority that is mired in the business practices of the 1970s.” .......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.ajc.com/news/news/transportation/lawmakers-make-step-toward-privatization-at-marta/nWWpz/