The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) named experienced transit professional and current Chief of Bus Operations Collie Greenwood as its new deputy GM, operations, overseeing all bus and rail operations for the authority. In this new role, Greenwood will also help develop and deliver major capital projects aimed at enhancing the customer experience, including the largest in MARTA’s history, the procurement of new railcars, and the addition of electric buses to MARTA’s fleet.
“Over the course of this unprecedented year, Collie has shown steadfast leadership with his tireless support of our bus operations, and his willingness to make the tough decisions demanded by the pandemic,” said MARTA GM/CEO Jeffrey Parker. “I am confident he will bring that same commitment to the rail side of our operation and lead the way as we prepare for exciting systemwide enhancements and expansion.”
Among the transformative projects Greenwood will oversee is the design and delivery of 254 new railcars. The $646 million-dollar agreement with Stadler Rail is the single largest for MARTA and a milestone in its capital improvement program aimed at more efficient performance and enhanced customer experience. Additionally, Greenwood will spearhead the integration of MARTA’s first electric buses and lead the years-long transition to a more environmentally conscious fleet.
When the pandemic hit last March, Greenwood quickly implemented safety measures to protect MARTA’s thousands of bus operators, mechanics, and maintenance employees to ensure essential bus service would still be provided. Additionally, he managed the installation of bus safety features for customers, including antimicrobial air filters, free mask dispensers, and social distancing placards on all 540 buses in the fleet.
Greenwood joined MARTA in July 2019 and immediately got to work improving bus service delivery and reliability. His first order of business was assisting MARTA’s Recruitment Office in filling hundreds of vacancies in bus operations that had resulted in unreliable bus service in the past. He led the Bus Operators Task Force to develop solutions aimed at attracting and retaining skilled bus operators that has resulted in a 16 percent reduction in overtime costs. Under Greenwood’s leadership, bus on-time performance (the benchmark of bus transit service) has improved from percentages in the mid-70s to current percentages in the low 80s.
