ORS Helps MARTA Communicate Track Updates with Metro Riders

Ohio River South worked with MARTA to build a text message alert program to more than 200,000 metro Atlanta residents informing them about scheduled rail line disruptions.

Ohio River South:

• Built and exported the list of 200,000+ Atlanta-area residents based on our regional/demographic recommendations approved by the client.
• Worked with the client to draft a compelling message.
• Created a program allowing the client to include a shortened URL in the message and track clicks on that link.

MARTA Track Replacement Project to Enhance Safety and Customer Experience, Extend Life of Rail System

State of Good Repair Work Will Impact Red and Gold Line Service Between Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, & Lenox Stations February 16 Through 22

Originally published on the Saportareport.com, Feb. 8, 2021

MARTA is investing approximately $225 million in State of Good Repair work on its heavy rail lines that will enhance the safety of the rail system, reduce train delays, and improve the customer experience. MARTA’s Track Replacement Project (TR-IV) will replace heavy rail between Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, and Lenox Stations beginning Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. and concluding Monday, Feb. 22 at 4 a.m. All rail service between Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, and Lenox Stations will be suspended during this time.

“This State of Good Repair work reflects our commitment to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and longevity of our system,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “These ongoing upgrades are designed to improve MARTA’s rail lines and are federally required for us to operate a safe and secure system. We ask that our valued customers and those living and working in areas close to these stations bear with us as we complete this necessary work.”

The Track Replacement Project is a multi-year effort that involves replacing track and switches throughout the rail system. The February work on the Red and Gold Lines includes a rail crossover (Canterbury Junction) that touches both main track lines that prevents normal single-tracking operations. As a result, free bus shuttles will replace trains between Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, and Lenox Stations and run continuously from 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, until the end of service on Sunday, Feb. 21. MARTA Station Agents and Transit Ambassadors will be at these rail stations to assist, and signs guiding customers between the bus shuttles and trains will be prominently displayed. Customers should allot an extra 30 minutes for travel through the work zone. Rail service north of Buckhead and Lenox, and south of Lindbergh, and service on the Blue and Green Lines (east/west) will operate normally.

MARTAConnect, a one-year pilot program with Uber, will also be available to customers during the project. MARTA will provide a link to a $10 Uber voucher that customers can download to their Uber app and use twice daily to travel to or from Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, and Lenox rail stations. The customer is responsible for any amount over $10 per trip and will not receive a credit for any trip less than $10. Details on how and when to download the voucher will be provided as the project date nears.

The Track Replacement Project is part of MARTA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing customer safety and experience. Also underway is a systemwide Station Rehabilitation Program that includes aesthetic and amenity upgrades, the Elevator and Escalator Restoration Program, the implementation of an improved audio-visual customer communication system (AVIS), and the largest capital project in MARTA’s history, the purchase of new railcars.

To learn more about the track replacement work and service impact visit www.itsmarta.com/trackreplacement or MARTA – YouTube.