Atlanta, Georgia – The results of an impartial audit carried out on the More MARTA Atlanta project, a significant effort aiming at increasing the public transportation capacity of the city over the next forty years, have been made public by Atlanta’s officials. From its launch to June 30, 2023, Mauldin & Jenkins conducted this audit covering the management, financial, and operational aspects of the program.
Started from a referendum in 2016, the More MARTA Atlanta initiative has become pillar of the city’s approach for improving its transportation system. Concerns about operational efficacy and financial management caused the Atlanta City Council to demand a comprehensive assessment in March 2023. MARTA and the City of Atlanta jointly decided on the extent of the audit to guarantee a thorough review of the procedures and expenditure of the program.
Based on the computed cost allocations for fiscal years 2017 through 2022, audit key results showed that the More MARTA Atlanta initiative should get over $70 million. The calculation follows MARTA’s set operational program cost guidelines. The report also underlined disparities in budgeting, especially in the increased bus service expenses, which were much below the expected levels for fiscal years 2021 and 2022.
Funds from the City of Atlanta Reserve account were transferred to MARTA’s Unified Reserve to cover additional costs when operational expenses exceeded the budget. On the other hand, any unspent money in years of less than estimated running expenses was returned to the City’s reserve for more MARTA capital projects.
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Ten strategic suggestions coming out of the audit have all been approved by the City of Atlanta. These are meant to improve general operational efficiency and polish the financial plans of the program.
The insights of the audit have been appreciated by both Mayor Dickens and MARTA’s CEO, who are currently in active discussion on applying these suggestions. Their main priorities are openness and changing finance management strategies to fit the long-term objectives of the program.
Available for the public on the web, the whole audit report has been sent to Atlanta City Council members as well as MARTA’s Board. This step towards greater accountability and structured management is seen as pivotal in ensuring the success of the More MARTA Atlanta program in its mission to expand and improve the city’s transit options.
