The Trump administration will investigate MARTA after two stabbing attacks on the system, including the killing of a 66-year-old woman on Saturday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday asked the Federal Transit Administration to look at MARTA’s safety and security spending and planning. The government wants MARTA to turn over information on its strategies to combat crime and fare evasion, according to a letter sent to the transit agency Thursday.
“Every American should be disturbed by the horrific crimes we have seen on MARTA in the last month. No one should be forced to fear for their safety simply because they choose to ride public transit,” Duffy said in a statement.
The Federal Transit Administration, which falls under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has ultimate oversight over MARTA and other transit agencies throughout the country.
The federal agency will be looking at whether there are systemic conditions endangering the safety of MARTA riders or employees.
This is the latest safety investigation the Trump-led FTA has opened into transit agencies in Democratic-run cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. The agency launched a similar inquiry into Charlotte’s public transit agency in North Carolina last year following the killing of Iryna Zarutska. That investigation identified 18 areas where officials said the system fell short.
The federal investigation comes just days before MARTA is set to welcome hundreds of thousands of riders in town for the FIFA World Cup. The agency had to cancel the launch of its new rail cars this week because it missed deadlines to certify the trains were safe.
It’s yet another setback for the beleaguered transit agency, which has been operating for nearly a year with interim leadership following its general manager and CEO’s retirement last year.
MARTA spokesperson Stephany Fisher said the agency has made “significant investments in personnel, technology, and operational measures,” adding that they “support safety and security across our entire system.”
“We welcome the opportunity to share with federal officials the hard work that the MARTA team puts in every day,” she said. “MARTA remains committed to continuously evaluating and strengthening our safety programs, procedures, and resources to provide a safe, secure and reliable transit experience for the communities that we serve.”
The FTA has given MARTA 15 days to submit detailed information showing its budget for passenger and employee safety. The federal agency said it is concerned about the number of assaults against MARTA employees, particularly rail operators.
MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher has said overall violent crime on the system is down 50% since 2019.
Saturday’s attack was random, police have said. Margaret Swan, 66, had boarded the train just minutes before her attacker struck, according to the arrest warrant. The man came up to Swan, drew his knife and slashed her throat.
Federal prosecutors charged John Elijah Matthews, 25, with committing an act of violence causing death on a mass transportation system. He also faces a state charge of malice murder.
In another stabbing incident May 24, two men who authorities say did not know each other got into an argument at the Georgia State MARTA station. The man “who instigated the fight was stabbed multiple times” and had non-life-threatening injuries, according to MARTA.
— This is a breaking news story. Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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