A photo of a MARTA train at College Park station.

The Great Recession was a disaster for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. MARTA gets most of its funding through a penny sales tax in Fulton and DeKalb counties. Revenues declined as consumers stopped spending, and the agency had to make deep cuts to rail and bus service. It also hired a new CEO, during this turbulent time.

Keith Parker came on board in 2012, after running transit systems in Charlotte and San Antonio. Since arriving, Parker has focused on getting MARTA’s finances in order. The agency has now posted three straight years with a balanced budget. It’s restoring cut bus routes and running more trains, and Clayton County voters will decide whether to join MARTA next month. The agency has also announced plans for mixed use developments adjacent to some of its rail stations. In an interview with GPB’s Bradley George, Parker says serious challenges remain. To hear the full interview, listen to the player above.

Tags: Bradley George, Keith Parker, MARTA