Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is unique among the nation’s transportation agencies. It serves as transportation planner and coordinator, designer, builder and operator for one of the country’s largest, most populous counties. More than 9.6 million people – nearly one-third of California’s residents – live, work, and play within its 1,433-square-mile service area.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is an independent governmental agency created by state legislation. The CTA began operating on October 1, 1947, after it acquired the properties of the Chicago Rapid Transit Company and the Chicago Surface Lines. On October 1, 1952, CTA became the sole operator of Chicago transit when it purchased the Chicago Motor Coach system.
MARTA connects employees and employers throughout the metro region.
MARTA carries 98 percent of all transit riders in the Atlanta region.
MARTA helps alleviate congestion, which is the No. 1 barrier to economic growth in metro Atlanta.
MARTA is a selling point in attracting mega conventions and major sporting events.
MARTA has been a catalyst for the economic growth and development of the Atlanta region. Without MARTA, it is unlikely the region would have attracted major corporations to locate here, or would have attracted major economic generators such as the 1996 Olympics.
MARTA contributes $476 million annually to Atlanta’s gross regional product.
MARTA has helped Atlanta live up to its image as a world-class city steeped in a rich history of transportation.
MARTA represents a nearly $4 billion public investment that should provide the basis for a coordinated regional mass transit system.
The Environment
A study conducted by the American Public Transit Association found that in 2001 alone, public transportation use in the Atlanta area saved 19.3 million gallons of gasoline, and kept more than 300 million pounds of pollutants out of the air.
MARTA has one of the largest fleet of compressed natural gas buses in the nation, increasing mobility while reducing pollution. The availability of MARTA as a transit alternative saved Atlantans approximately 25 million man hours in traffic delays.
