What is MARTA, anyway?
The Simple Answer
MARTA is the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. They are the organization responsible for public transit in Atlanta.
The More Complicated Answer
MARTA runs the heavy rail system that most people think of when they think of Atlanta transit. They also run a system of buses, paratransit, and a Streetcar for Fulton, Dekalb, and Clayton counties.
The Details
MARTA was formed in 1965 as a bus-only system. In 1975, construction began on the heavy rail network, which opened in June of 1979.
MARTA's original intended footprint included Cobb and Gwinnett counties, but those counties backed out.
MARTA is the only major transit network in the country that is not funded by the state it's in. That is, the State of Georgia does not contribute to the budget. The majority of funding comes from local sources (the City of Atlanta and the served counties) and from federal grants.
Some Reading
Contributors to Wikimedia projects
Wikipedia Article on MARTA
MARTA's History
Doug Monroe
Some reading on MARTA funding
MARTA's Budget
