MARTA delays vote on privatizing paratransit services

ATLANTA — The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) board delayed making a controversial decision on whether to pursue outsourcing its paratransit services, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Members of the union that represent MARTA’s paratransit drivers have protested the transit agency’s move to accept proposals from private providers, saying outsourcing could cost 300 jobs and result in poor quality of service for patrons. A 2012 audit projected that the transit agency could save between $15 million to $43 million by going with a private service provider. For the full story, click here.