MARTA sticking to Five Points Station plan despite protests
A major renovation plan will close the transit hub to outside access for up to four years. A major renovation project at Atlanta's Five Points MARTA station could result in limited access to the station for up to four years, despite protests and requests from the mayor. The transit system plans to close the station to outside access beginning July 29 and allow passengers to transfer, but limited access will be limited to elevators, which could hinder riders with disabilities who would need to use MARTA Mobility shuttles to change direction. This could add up to an hour of additional transfer time for those with disabilities. Despite protests, MARTA plans to briefly reopen the station during the World Cup in 2026. The project has been approved by the city of Atlanta and the MARTA board, and is expected to be reopened during the event.
Published : 3 weeks ago by Author: Jerry Carnes in Travel
A major renovation plan will close the transit hub to outside access for up to four years.
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ATLANTA — Atlanta's Five Points MARTA station could soon have limited access to complete a four-year renovation project, despite protection and even a request from the mayor.
According to the transit system, travelers will be closed to the hub coming off the street beginning July 29. While trains will continue to run through the station, allowing passengers to transfer, there will be limited access to elevators.
This would hinder riders with disabilities, who would then need to use MARTA Mobility shuttles to change direction, adding to their commute.
“Not only is this really inequitable, but it could possibly add up to an hour of my additional transfer process,” Cardin Wyckoff, who uses a wheelchair and travels through the downtown area relying on the Five Points station, said. “They’re not taking into consideration how long it takes to board the shuttle transfer.”
MARTA plans to briefly reopen the station to outside access during the World Cup in 2026.
“Other cities have done major reconstruction projects to stations and maintained pedestrian, bus rider, and ADA access,” Rebecca Serna with Propel ATL said, who has asked MARTA to reconsider its plan. “We believe MARTA can do it too.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has expressed his concern. In a letter to MARTA’s General Manager, Collie Greenwood, the mayor asked the transit authority to temporarily halt the Five Points project until the completion of an audit and “consider the impact on the community during construction.”
MARTA’s General Manager responded with a letter of his own, stating that the project had been approved by the city of Atlanta and the MARTA board. General Manager Collie Greenwood writes that the current plan is “an appropriate solution,” adding, “We will continue to review for possible improvements.”
“I fear over the course of four years people will get a car or some other means, and they’ll stick with that,” said MARTA rider Dejon Tebought.
Topics: Social Issues, Protests