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Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding September 30, 2014 Keith T. Parker, AICP @CEOMARTA. MARTA AT A GLANCE. 9th largest transit system in U.S. Approximately 418,000 weekday boardings 4,536 total employees
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Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding September 30, 2014 Keith T. Parker, AICP @CEOMARTA
MARTA AT A GLANCE • 9th largest transit system in U.S. • Approximately 418,000 weekday boardings • 4,536 total employees • Major contributor to regional and state economy
ECONOMIC IMPACT • 7,800 jobs in Fulton/DeKalb Counties • 24,800 jobs supported statewide • $1.4 billion in economic activity supported annually • MARTA impact similar to insurance and hospitality industries in Georgia • Of Atlanta’s 18 fastest-growing industry sectors, 14 rely heavily on MARTA for work transportation • Special Events ( Note: UGA Study 2012)
MARTA WAS… • Employee furloughs • Salary and wage freezes • Reduced 131 bus routes to 91 • Increased headways • Closed some restrooms • Fare increases • Negative public perception
MARTA IS… • A good financial steward of public tax dollars • Committed to an excellent customer experience • Mobility and accessibility • A catalyst for economic development
FY2013 – FY2018 RESERVES PROJECTION BALANCE TREND
FY2013 – FY2018 RESERVES BALANCE TREND (millions)
COST SAVINGS • IT Department– estimated $14M • Electricity – $1M – $2M • iRecruitment • Elimination of paper paychecks • CNG Conversion – $1 per gallon diesel • Laredo Solar Canopy – $75K
FY15 OPERATING BUDGET Operating Budget - $415.6 million • Balanced Budget • NOFare Increase in FY14 or FY15 • Service Restoration • Increased Rail Frequency • Bus Service Enhancements • Police Officers • Additional Station Service Agents • Reinstate More Durable Breeze Tickets
FY15 CAPITAL BUDGET Capital Programs - $470.1 million, which includes $149.2 million for debt services. • Capital Projects: • Brady Garage • Elevator/Escalators • Restroom Restoration • New Vehicles (Buses and Mobility Vans) • Safety: • Tunnel Ventilation • Fire Protection • Video Analytics • CCTV System Expansion • Lighting Upgrades
ORGANIZATIONAL INITIATIVES • Operational Road Map • Five-year plan • Twelve areas of focus • Year one initiatives underway
OPEN FOR BUSINESS • Revenue Generation: • Advertising • Naming Rights • Parking • Concessions • Transit - Oriented Development
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Increase transit ridership Improve neighborhoods Generate stable revenues Learn more: http://www.itsmarta.com/TOD-real-estate.aspx Job Creation: Transit investment creates short-term and long-term employment
CUSTOMER SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS • New buses and Mobility vans • Upgraded station lighting • Upgraded elevators/escalators • More Restrooms re-opened
CURRENT TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS • “See and Say” app • Improved electronic signage at rail stations • MARTA “On the Go” app • Train Control System Upgrade (TCSU) • Ongoing installation of surveillance cameras on rolling stock • Urine Detection Devices (UDD)
TECHNOLOGY ON THE HORIZON • Mobile fare payments • Audio Visual Information System (AVIS) • Real-time trip planning integrated with Google maps • Wi-Fi in stations and on rolling stock • Security upgrades to Breeze fare media • Video Analytics • Automated Parking Access and Revenue Control (APARC) • Integrated Operations Center
MARTA POLICE PEER COMPARISONS 2012 Crimes Reported by Agency (Transit) MARTA Police Peer Comparison AWARDS
FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY • Moody’s Investor Service Upgraded MARTA’s Third Indenture Bonds from A1 to Aa3 (May 2014) • Cited improving financial performance and reduction in variable rate exposure • MARTA issued fixed rate refunding and new money bonds – Total $300 million • Upgrade contributed to reducing anticipated fixed rate issue costs by $4.2 million
IMPROVING PUBLIC IMAGE POSITIVE COVERAGE EXCEEDS $1 MILLION IN VALUE* “MARTA should be commended for their leadership …I have been impressed… and I think more members of the legislature are impressed…” (Gov. Deal , Dec. 2013) “We’re heartened to see lawmakers adopted a more practical outlook in recognizing the work MARTA’s been pursuing… to improve its financial & operational efficiency…” (Andre Jackson, AJC, Apr. 2014) “MARTA Has turned its fiscal ship around… operating in the black again…” Rep. Jacobs, Mar. 2014 • *The media monitoring system determines publicity value based on an industry standard. • During the 3rd and 4th Quarters July 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
5 STEPS OF CLAYTON JOINING MARTA State legislation – lifting of the sales tax cap to only join MARTA (contracting of services never an option) to restore transit MARTA Board and Clayton Commissioners approve Rapid Transit Contract (RTC) calling for one penny sales tax levy Clayton Commissioners call for binding referendum and approves RTC Majority of Clayton voters approve RTC in November referendum Jurisdictional concurrence
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES • State of Georgia investment opportunities in MARTA: • Include transit in any state funding formula for transportation • Full elimination of the 50/50 provision for MARTA sales tax
INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT FOR OUR FUTURE • Metro Atlanta is changing in meaningful ways*: • Atlanta is a “young city” that wants transit – we are ahead of national averages in Millennial and Generation X populations • Atlanta ranks 6th in the nation for residents with college degrees • Between 2010 - 2013, Atlanta ranked as the 7th fastest growing city in the nation • Over the last year, Atlanta ranked 4th in jobs added • “Traffic Problems” consistently rank second only to public education as a concern weighing on the entire metro region 1990 2000 2010 *Statistics furnished through the Atlanta Regional Commission
2014 REPORT CARD FOR GEORGIA INFRASTRUCTURE Georgia is among the lowest in the country in transit spending per resident. According to the American Public Transportation Association's 2010 Survey of State Funding for Public Transportation.
TRANSIT IMPROVES LIVES • Helps Environment – The private vehicle is the largest contribution to a household’s carbon footprint • Saves Money – Affordable alternative to driving, saving households that use public transit an average of $10,103 • Benefits Health – Train riders lost 6.5 pounds (American Journal of Preventive Medicine) • Source: American Public Transportation Association
www.itsmarta.com 404-848-5000