Board overturns MARTA decision to outsource paratransit services

ATLANTA — An arbitration board overturned MARTA’s decision to outsource its paratransit bus service to a private contractor — a move the agency says could lead to poorer service at a higher cost, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

MARTA decided to outsource its paratransit service in 2015, citing the need to save money, increase efficiency, and improve on-time performance rates.

The arbitrator’s decision gives the agency 100 days to bring the operation back in house. That means the agency will need to hire hundreds of bus drivers in coming weeks — though many of its former employees now work for MV Transportation, which has been operating the service since last spring. For the full story, click here.