MARTA GM seeks cuts as $60M budget deficit looms

MARTA officials are looking for state or other funding help to dig the mass transit authority out of a $60 million hole.

The general manager of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Beverly Scott, is expected to ask board members Monday to make cuts including nixing annual raises for managers, supervisors and general administrative employees and cutting back on discretionary spending - moves which are expected to save the agency $11 million over the next fiscal year.

In the upcoming legislative session, MARTA officials also plan to ask state lawmakers to get rid of restrictions on how it can use its sales tax and investment earnings, and to allow eating and drinking at rail stations as a potential money-making opportunity.

Without additional funding, officials say there could be fare increases, parking fees and reduction in services, which also could lead to employee layoffs.

(AP)

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