UPDATE: I am committed to holding MARTA accountable for the horrific crimes that have occurred on its system. FTA has begun a comprehensive review of MARTA's security spending, safety protocols, and risks to riders and workers.
While MARTA met our initial deadline for a response and assured us they are taking action, we won't stop there. We are examining every aspect of their plan to verify if substantive improvements are being made. This includes pouring over hundreds of pages of documents and conducting on-site visits to see the situation on the ground. We will continue to work to secure Atlanta's system for passengers and transit workers alike.
This is Margaret Swan, a great-grandmother stabbed to death 20 TIMES in a random attack in the middle of the day on Atlanta’s public transit. Her murder was the second horrific attack on MARTA in a week.
I want ANSWERS from Atlanta. The number of assaults, robberies, and rapes on MARTA’s trains is MORE THAN THREE TIMES the national average.
MARTA has 15 DAYS from today to provide:
- Security spending
- Safety plans for riders and workers
- Detailed action strategy to prevent crime and fare evasion
Margaret’s family DESERVES ACCOUNTABILITY. No one should be forced to fear for their safety on public transit.