MARTA to make $1.5 million rider improvements in DeKalb County
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is making $1.5 million in capital improvements in DeKalb County that will go to enhancements such as new bus shelters, benches and bathroom upgrades.
“DeKalb County has supported MARTA since its inception nearly 50 years ago,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “The county’s investment and partnership with MARTA has spurred economic development, affordable housing, greater mobility and access to jobs.”
MARTA plans to install up to 70 new shelters and benches per year for the next four years, totaling up to 350 new shelters. The transit authority is also enhancing its partnership with Keep DeKalb Beautiful by increasing the annual maintenance contract from $75,000 to $150,000, to support shelter maintenance and county beautification efforts.
“We value our longstanding partnership with DeKalb County,” said Jeffrey Parker, general manager and CEO of MARTA. “Going forward, we remain committed to providing quality transit service and customer amenities that riders in the county want and deserve.”
In 2018, MARTA installed 20 new shelters across the county, at a cost of $400,000. These new investments will improve the quality of ridership in areas that have been underserved in the past.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
