1970
JANUARY
DOT approved grant of $400,000 for MARTA program.
MAY
MARTA participation in the URBAN CORRIDOR DEMONSTARTION PROJECT: a $200,000 federally funded program which examined all the then current methods of improving traffic and transit in one selected corridor and recommended a program to be implemented.
JULY
Participation started in the "Town Flyer" Project, which allows passengers to park outside the congested downtown area and ride special buses into the central Business District; federal funds amounted to $215,000 in the $430,000 project.
OCTOBER
MARTA completed study on possible use of existing railroad tracks for interim commuter service, while technically possible, it was determined that many grade crossings, side-tracks, existing rain schedules, slow speeds and high operating costs ruled out any such interim service.
The Board formally declared its intention to acquire the Atlanta Transit System as early as possible under terms to be mutually negotiated.
1971
JANUARY
Voorhees Report for AATS Policy Committee was completed.
MARCH
Governor Jimmy Carter signed three transit bills passed by the General Assembly; HB 219 amended the Georgia Sales Tax Law to permit a local sales and use tax in metropolitan Atlanta for rapid transit purposes; and HB 223 modified and clarified certain provisions in the original MARTA Act of 1965.
APRIL/MAY
A total of 19 forums were conducted by MARTA in the four-county area to allow resident s a chance to tell MARTA what kind of rapid transit system they wanted and to make comments, suggestions and recommendations.
MAY
The Department of Transportation funded the Staggered Hours project, a part of the Urban Corridor Study.
AUGUST
MARTA assumed control of the Model Cities Shuttle Bus Service.
The MARTA Board adopted the rapid transit proposal after concluding a series of public hearings in the four-county area.
SEPTEMBER
Local governments called for a special referendum on the MARTA plan.
MARTA agreed to purchase ATS for $12,958,074
MARTA applied to UMTA/DOT for a $30 million federal grant for the $45 million short-range bus improvements program.
NOVEMBER 9
The special Rapid Transit referendum passed in Fulton and DeKalb counties, but failed in Gwinnett and Clayton counties which caused revisions of the total MARTA balanced transportation system; deletion of construction, service and revenue reductions for service in those town counties.
1972
FEBRUARY
DOT/UMTA announced approval of a $360,000 grant from MARTA as two-thirds share of the cost of final design and environmental analysis studies and related activities.
FEBRUARY 17
MARTA purchased the Atlanta Transit System for $12,958,074.
MARCH 1
MARTA reduced the fare from 40 cents to 15 cents with no charge for transfers and a uniform fare throughout the MARTA service area. (Fulton and DeKalb Counties)
APRIL 1
Local 1% Rapid Transit Tax became effective.
Began implementation of short-range transit improvement program.
JUNE
First revenue received from 1% Rapid Transit Tax.
JULY
A series of ten environmental information meetings were held in Fulton and DeKalb Counties to gain input from resident regarding the MARTA system and the environment.
SEPTEMBER
UMTA announced approval of a $3.2 million technical studies grant to MARTA as two-thirds share of the cost of undertaking various studies including preliminary design and engineering work, car design, soil investigation and safety criteria.
OCTOBER
Environmental Impact Statement Draft released for public review.
MARTA Rapid Transit Contract and Assistance Agreement placed on ballot in Clayton County.
NOVEMBER
Clayton County voters vote against 1% sales tax to finance rapid transit in the county by a margin of 73.5%.
MARTA conducted a survey on bus patronage on 25 selected bus routes to determine the effect of the reduced fare on transit ridership.
MARTA Board of Directors approved the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and forwarded it to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration for review.
DECEMBER
UMTA released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement to appropriate federal agencies for review.
MARCH 1- DECEMBER 31
9.63 million more passengers than anticipated rode MARTA buses on since the fare reduction.
1973
JANUARY
MARTA received 125 new, air-conditioned buses, the first of 490 buses on order.
Largest group of bus service improvements since MARTA acquired Atlanta Transit System began which included implementation of five of seven planned new radial routes including service to Alpharetta, Palmetto and Lithonia.
MARTA began a six-month study of three fare collection systems (no barrier, barrier and convertible system) to determine the best system for the proposed transit project.
FEBRUARY
MARTA finalized its coordinated wrap-up insurance programs, which included a two area projection of physical assets and responsibility, to third parties and employees of MARTA and those contractors involved in construction of the rapid transit system.
Urban Mass Transportation Administration approved MARTA's relocation plan and procedures to be implemented in conjunction with purchase of the rapid transit right-of-way.
MARCH
After twelve months of reduced bus fare, MARTA had an overall increase of 21% and carried a total of 65,543,400 passengers 11.5 million more than the previous year.
APRIL
MARTA received $42.7 million from sales tax during the first 12 months.
MAY
Groundbreaking was held for a new bus maintenance facility on Brady Avenue in northwest Atlanta.
JUNE
The Secretary of Transportation, Claude S. Brinegar, approved a $69.5 million grant to MARTA to help finance the first phase of construction and design the 50-mile rapid rail and 14-mile busway system.
JULY
MARTA implemented a Land Acquisition and Relocation Program.
MARTA and Division 732 of the Amalgamated Transit Union reached an agreement on a new labor contract following a six-day work stoppage.
AUGUST
The $34 billion highway aid bill signed by President Nixon increased the federal share of capital grants from 66 2/3 to 80 percent for all mass transit project funded after July 1, 1973.
Awarded contract for 365 GMC, air-conditioned buses.
SEPTEMBER
Implemented test borings (soil Samples) along East rapid rail alignment.
OCTOBER
MARTA Board released Project Finance and Construction Program Update to reflect cost increase to $1.72 billion.
1974
JANUARY
The first rapid rail system architectural and engineering design consultant teams were selected.
The aerial structure was selected for use on more than 10.1 miles of the 62.9-mile rapid rail system.
FEBRUARY
MARTA demolished the first house in preparing the way for construction to begin.
MARCH
At the request of various governmental bodies and civic/community groups the MARTA Board combined the Piedmont road and Lindbergh Drive Stations, located on the Northeast Line, into one station.
APRIL
The first of 365 new, air-conditioned buses (GMC) ordered by the Authority began arriving and being placed into service throughout Fulton and DeKalb Counties.
MAY
MARTA installed the first of 119 passenger waiting shelters.
JUNE
The Brady Avenue maintenance and Operating Facility was dedicated.
At the request of numerous civic/community and government agencies the Board acted to move the Northside Drive Station located on the northwest branch out of the expressway.
UMTA announced a $50.4 million grant to MARTA to assist with continued planning and design work, land acquisition, early construction work and related phases.
AUGUST
MARTA announced selection of 20 design firms as part of the design team for the Rapid Rail System.
Contract awarded to UNITEC, Inc., to build the first Park-Ride Lot in the Short-Range Transit Improvement Program, located at Memorial Drive and Kensington Road in DeKalb Counties.
The preliminary design for the MARTA rapid rail car is made public. Designers of the car are Sundberg-Ferar Industrial Designers of Southfield, Michigan.
SEPTEMBER
Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the park-Ride Lot at Memorial Drive and Kensigton Road in DeKalb County.
NOVEMBER
National Mass Transportation Act of 1974 is signed into law.
Parsons Brinkerhoff-Tudor-Betchel presents updated cost estimate for the MARTA system. The new cost estimate is for $2.09 billion, up $308 million from the 1973 estimate of $1.79 billion. Two-thirds of the increase is due to inflation.
The 18th design team for the rapid railsystem is chosen. Kaiser Engineering of Oakland, California, and Johns & Associates of Atlanta will design facilities for the Avondale Yard.
DECEMBER
MARTA broke ground for the second park-Ride Lot in the Short-Range Transit Improvement Program. The lot is located at the intersection of Abernathy Road and Georgia Highway 400, in Fulton County.
1975
JANUARY
The first park-Ride Lot in the Short-Range Transit Improvement Program, located at Memorial Drive and Kensington Road in DeKalb County was opened by MARTA to the public.
MARTA approved selection of additional design teams bringing the total effort to 22 design packages involving 69 firms.
MARTA endorsed fully automatic train controls for the rapid rail system with operator "over-ride" capability built into the system.
FEBRUARY
Economic Impact Study prepared by the Georgia State University Department of Economics, revealed that for every dollar spent on capital construction the five-county metropolitan area would realize a $2.60 increase in income.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the MARTA rail system were held on the East Line.
The first construction project in MARTA's Long Range Transit Improvement Program, The Arizona Avenue underpass on the East Line, was awarded to Hensel Phelps Construction Company of Burlingame, California.
MARCH
MARTA approved the four additional design packages to eleven architectural and engineering firms bringing the total number of firms involved in the design process to 80.
APRIL
MARTA received a commitment from UMTA for $600 million in additional funding for construction of the rapid rail system.
With a rate of only 3.1 accidents per every 100,000 miles, MARTA was designated as the safest transit system in the nation by the American Public Transit Association.
MARTA announced plans to build a maintenance and operation facility on Browns Mill Road.
MAY
MARTA Board adopted initial construction schedule, Phase "A" providing for the completion of 13.7 miles of rapid rail alignment, including 17 stations by 1980.
JUNE
A reduced fare program for the elderly and handicapped patrons of the MARTA system was implemented making it possible for elderly and handicapped patrons to ride for 7 cents during non-peak periods, all day Saturday and Sunday and on certain holidays.
JULY
The second MARTA Park-Ride Lot, Abernathy Road, located in North Fulton County, was opened.
AUGUST
Traffic Watch, a traffic-monitoring program utilizing the two-way radio announcements, of traffic conditions during the AM and PM rush-hour periods was implemented.
SEPTEMBER
The third Park-Ride facility, located in Doraville in North DeKalb County was opened to the public.
OCTOBER
MARTA advertised bids for the first 100 rapid rail cars.
DECEMBER
First volume of "Mule to MARTA" was published by the Atlanta Historical Society.
MARTA received a $160 million UMTA grant bringing the total to date to $429.9 million
Bids opened on the first contract in the Five Points Station area.
1976
JANUARY
MARTA adapted a five-year plan, which anticipated completion of Phase A, the first 13.7 miles, by FY 1980.
MARTA introduced special bus service for the elderly and handicapped.
FEBRUARY
Construction began in the downtown area for the rapid rail system.
Bus ridership reached the 76 million mark.
APRIL
The French firm of Societe Franco-Belge de materiel de Chemins de Fer was awarded a $54.2 million contract to build MARTA's first 100 rapid rail cars. Contract was signed May 3, 1976.
MAY
The Authority released a management improvement study report done by the Washington D.C. consulting firm of Cresap, McCormick and Paget, Inc.
JULY
New fares for service into Clayton and Cobb counties went into effect July 1. On route #50, 54, 72 the fare will be $.60 plus a nickel for transfer. On Route #78 Six Flags the fare will be $1.00 plus five cents for a transfer.
Georgia's new anti-littering law went into effect July 1.
OCTOBER
MARTA's special service for the elderly and handicapped began operation with two routes providing access to shopping centers.
NOVEMBER
MARTA applied for $167 million in federal funds to continue construction on Phase A, the first 13.7 miles.
The Washington D.C. firm of Corson and Fruman was awarded a $970, 000 contract for the pilot tunnel under Peachtree Street between Ellis and Harris Streets.
1977
JANUARY
MARTA received a $132 million grant from UMTA. To date MARTA has received $692 million or 87 percent of the $800 million Federal commitment for the rapid rail program.
The Authority released a five-year financial plan outlining projected costs of transit operations and construction. The plan covers FY'78 through FY'82.
MAY
Sams Crossings bridge opened May 11.
The second volume of Mule to MARTA, the history of Atlanta's transit system since the incorporation of the city's first street railroad company in 1886, was published by the Atlanta Historical Society.
JUNE
Names of eight rail stations were changed in response to community requests. The changes are as follows: Cain Street to Peachtree Center; Tenth Street to Midtown; Grant Street to King Memorial; Memorial Drive to Kensington; Techwood Drive to Omni.
SEPTEMBER
Service began on two new routes; #90 Jonesboro/Hutchens Road and Crosstown H-Stone Mountain/Brookhaven.
MARTA hosted the annual meeting of the American Public Transit Association (APTA) and the APTA International Roadeo.
OCTOBER
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams announced a $108 million grant to MARTA completing the $800 million federal commitment toward the construction of the first phase of the rapid transit system.
The MARTA Board began campaigning for the extension of the one percent sales tax beyond 1982.
NOVEMBER
Two new routes were added to the bus system-Crosstown-D Decatur/North Springs and Crosstown-B Westview/Buckhead. Except for some minor modifications and revisions, the addition of the two lines completed MARTA's referendum commitment to institute new services under the $57 million short-range bus improvement program.
The Authority conducted a passenger survey to determine how well existing services met the transportation needs of residents of the metro area.
DECEMBER
MARTA established construction priority based on such factors as cost, patronage, community impact and overall transit service. According to the phasing study, these are the priorities; 1) South Line Garnett to Lakewood and North Line North Avenue to Arts Center, 2) South Line Lakewood to Airport and North Line Arts Center to Lenox; 3) North Line Lenox to Doraville; 4) Hapeville Branch and East line Avondale to Indian creek; and 5) Proctor Creek Branch, West Line Hightower to Fairburn Road, Northwest Branch and Tucker-North DeKalb Branch.
1978
JANUARY
The Board resolution regarding fare policy adopted August 9, 1971 was rescinded. The fare would be increased to between 25 cents and 35 cents effective March 1, 1979.
The $57 million short-range bus improvement program was completed.
West Peachtree Street was closed for the construction of the Civic Center Station and a portion of the North Line.
FEBRUARY
The Board passed a resolution requesting the extension of the one percent sales tax for a minimum of 12 additional years.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams authorized MARTA to use $27 million in local funds for construction readiness beyond Phase A. The $27 million would be reimbursed as an amendment to the original $800 million grant.
MARTA applied for Federal fund ($66,00) for the construction of the Broad Street bus-only mall.
Bus service was expanded by one million annual miles.
MARCH
The first two rail cars arrived in Atlanta for testing and equipment installation at the Avondale Yards.
MAY
Tracks at Avondale Yard were energized for testing purposes.
AUGUST
Some of the 134 Advanced Design buses arrived in Atlanta.
MARTA planned to sell $100 million in sales tax revenue bonds for the second time. The first issue of such bonds was for $40 million in 1976.
NOVEMBER
East Line energized to begin testing.
1979
JANUARY
Expanded bus service- added routes #140 Mountain Park/ Holcomb Bridge and #130 Winters Chapel.
FEBRUARY
MARTA began selling monthly TransCards ($10).
MARCH
MARTA received a $35 million grant to begin construction on the North Line between North Avenue and Arts Center.
Ride Store opened at 62A Peachtree Street.
APRIL
UMTA announced a grant of $88,000 for the Broad Street Transit mall.
UMTA gave "no prejudice" authorization for construction from North Avenue to Arts Center and from Garnett to West End.
The first 10 "articulated" buses went into service April 20.
MARTA planners completed a study, which offered alternatives to the North Atlanta Parkway/Busway.
West Line energized for testing.
MAY
The American Public Transit Association named MARTA.
JUNE
MARTA began rail operations for the first time: the East Line from Avondale to Georgia State Station on June 30.
AUGUST
Construction began on the Airport rapid rail station.
SEPTEMBER
Weekend service began on the East Line.
OCTOBER
MARTA inaugurated feeder service by diverting almost all bus lines in the East Line rail corridor to feed into stations.
MARTA received a $6 million UMTA grant for the purchase of new buses and for refurbishing five 1963 GMC buses.
NOVEMBER
The Authority conducted a bus and rail ridership survey.
DECEMBER
Rail service conducted a bus and rail ridership survey.
