MARTA lands whopping $19.7 million to upgrade bus system

MARTA, Atlanta's public transportation system, is getting $19.7 million in federal grants to boost its decaying bus system.


A total of $18.3 million,or most of the Federal Transit Administration grant, will be used to replace MARTA's Brady Mobility paratransit facility. The facility operates and maintains MARTA's paratransit fleet, which is used to transport people with disabilities. Brady facility is among MARTA's oldest and though built in 1974, it has not been renovated since that time. 


MARTA expects a 13 percent increase in ridership for the fiscal year. The transit system is under court order to improve its paratransit service since passengers reported not getting picked up on time or at all.


The remainder of the grant, or $1.4 million, will be used to develop a management system to track the condition of MARTA's overall bus fleet, facilities and equipment. 


The grants are part of a $776 million nationwide federal grant program announced Monday to help fix ailing bus systems. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says 40 percent of the country's buses are in poor or marginal condition.