8 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 10/22/18:

 

MARTA to boost rail service for Super Bowl LIII

 

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) last week announced it will add rail service during the 53rd Super Bowl, which will be held in February 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

During the weekend of Feb. 3, 2019, the agency will provide rail service 24 hours a day and enhance key bus routes to move riders through the city safely, MARTA Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Parker announced on Twitter late last week.

 

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[KevinKorell]

Atlanta, GA Journal-Constitution, 7/18/18  (Dated article.... I was in Austin, TX that day):

 

 

Atlanta Super Bowl: How MARTA’s preparing to handle the massive crowds

 

 

In 200 days, a giant swarm of fans, tourists and media will descend on Atlanta for Super Bowl LIII. Hundreds of thousands of them are expected to use MARTA during the 10-day occasion that culminates with the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

 

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[KevinKorell]

Atlanta, GA Journal-Constitution, 1/21/19:

 

 

 

MARTA’s reputation, development on the line as Atlanta hosts Super Bowl

 

 

 

Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis was hours away. The local transit agency was about to launch a special service to carry more than 20,000 people to the game — service it had spent months planning down to the finest detail.

 

 

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[KevinKorell]

Atlanta In Town, 1/31/19:

 

 

MARTA rail service operating 24-hours a day for Super Bowl events

 

 

MARTA rail service will begin running 24 hours a day starting this evening until Feb. 5 due to the influx of visitors Downtown for events related to the Super Bowl this Sunday.

 

 

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[KevinKorell]

WXIA-TV, Channel 11 in Atlanta, GA, 1/31/19:

 

 

Is MARTA ready for the Super Bowl crowds?

 

 

Everyone from the Mayor to the Police Chief to the Super Bowl Host Committee are telling people to take MARTA down to the events going on this weekend. But people who ride MARTA regularly keep telling 11Alive they don't think they're ready for the crush of people who will be on it this weekend.

 

 

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[KevinKorell]

Atlanta, GA Journal-Constitution, 1/31/19:

 

 

MARTA launches 24-hour Super Bowl rail service a day early

 

 

MARTA will begin operating round-the-clock rail service to accommodate Super Bowl concert crowds tonight – a day earlier than originally planned. 

 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

WSB-TV, Channel 2 in Atlanta, GA, 2/2/19:

 

 

MARTA experiences hiccups, delays the night before Super Bowl LIII

 

 

As over a million people descended on Atlanta Saturday night ahead of the Super Bowl, the transportation agency faced a few hurdles. 

 

 

Read this.

[KevinKorell]

The Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) moved over a half-million customers during the three-day Super Bowl weekend as massive crowds took advantage of 24-hour rail service.

Saturday marked MARTA’s busiest travel day in decades, with an estimated 270,000 rail riders, more than double the number seen on a typical Saturday. Parking lots throughout the system were filled as customers parked their cars and took transit to avoid downtown parking fees and gridlock.

RELATED: MARTA chief calls for $100B investment in mobility, tech

On Super Bowl Sunday, 155,000 customers took MARTA rail to enjoy activities downtown and see the big game. Riders were greeted by more than 600 Transit Ambassadors, positioned throughout MARTA’s 38 rail stations. These re-deployed administrative employees worked over 3,000 hours during the 10-day operational period.

MARTA Rail Operations remained flexible during the entire 10-day period of activities, adjusting service, adding trains, and even beginning 24-hour service a day earlier to accommodate the addition of a late-night concert to the event schedule.

“Our performance proved MARTA was ready,” said Chief of Rail Operations David Springstead. “We had two minor issues, one involving a trespasser near the tracks and another caused by a small fire on adjacent CSX property, where we implemented our contingency plans and minimized the service impact to our customers. On Sunday, the MARTA team worked quickly and efficiently to clear large crowds within 90 minutes of the end of the game.”

MARTA police officers were highly visible throughout the system. More than 500 sworn officers, MPD and those assisting from other agencies, worked around the clock to ensure there were no public safety issues.

RELATED: MARTA expands executive leadership team

MARTA has been the major transit provider for a string of large-scale sporting events, including three Super Bowls, the 1996 Olympic Games, and most recently, the MLS Cup where the city’s newest sports franchise, Atlanta United, won its first championship.

Keywords

light rail   MARTA   ridership   safety   special event transportation   Super Bowl   

 

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[KevinKorell]

Opinion in Atlanta, GA Journal-Constitution, 2/8/19:

 

 

  Opinion: MARTA won for Atlanta on Super Bowl weekend 

 

The New England Patriots went home with the Lombardi Trophy, but Team MARTA emerged victorious.

 

Our transit system more than doubled its ridership during the three-day period that included Super Bowl Sunday as thousands of visitors and fans voted with their feet – and with their MARTA Breeze cards.

 

Opinion