CBS Outdoor Group, Inc. has been selected to manage the sale and use of advertising space on MARTA buses, rail cars, stations, bus shelters and benches. The deal totaling a guaranteed minimum of $60.3 million includes a fifteen year contract for bus shelters and benches and a five year contract for transit advertisements (rail cars, buses, and stations). As part of these contracts, CBS will replace aging bus shelters, implement rigorous cleaning and maintenance programs, and offer new ways for customers to provide feedback.

MARTA's new advertising agreement includes the following:

• CBS will replace all shelters that are 10 years old or older throughout the life of the contract. Eventually all 770 advertising and non-advertising shelters will be replaced with a more progressive and contemporary style.
• CBS will implement an aggressive cleaning and maintenance schedule to keep all advertising and non-advertising shelters and benches in "like new" condition.
• A hotline number and web address will be posted at all bus shelters so that customers can report any cleaning or maintenance needs to CBS.
• CBS will improve maintenance programs within rail stations to respond more quickly when ad panels are vandalized.
• A portion of all advertising space will be dedicated to providing customers with MARTA service information. All new bus shelters will be equipped with maps and schedules making it easier to use the MARTA system.

MARTA will hold public hearings on proposed bus service modifications on January 28 and 29, 2008, to gather input from customers and stakeholders. Staff will be available to provide information regarding the proposed changes and answer any questions for one hour prior to the start of the official public hearing.

MARTA regularly evaluates routes and schedules and proposes adjustments to ensure better schedule adherence and on-time performance. Final changes will be recommended based on feedback received from customers as well as service analysis.

Comments regarding the proposed modifications can also be submitted through February 5, 2008 by leaving a message at 404-848-5660, writing to MARTA's Office of Transit System Planning, 2424 Piedmont Road, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30324-3330, completing an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com, or faxing comments to 404-848-5132.

Hearings will be held at the following locations.

Monday, January 28, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave.
Atlanta, 30303
Taking MARTA: Bus routes 9, 21, 42, 49, 55, and 97 from Five Points Station.
Special Bus Shuttle will be provided from the Five Points Station.

Monday, January 28, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Chamblee Civic Center
3540 Broad Street
Chamblee, 30341
Taking MARTA: The Civic Center is one block south from MARTA Routes 25 & 103 or one block north from Route 132.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Roswell City Hall
(Council Chambers, 2nd Floor)
38 Hill Street
Roswell, 30075
Taking MARTA: Roswell City Hall is one block east from MARTA Route 85

Tuesday, January 29, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Burdette Recreation Center
(Multi-Purpose Room)
2945 Burdette Road
College Park, 30349
Taking MARTA: The Recreation Center is 3/4-mile west from MARTA Route 89. A special shuttle will be provided from Old National Highway and Burdette Road.

MARTA is pleased to be a part of Georgia's new 511 phone service that puts free statewide travel information at your fingertips. This service, operated by the Georgia Department of Transportation, provides direct access to traffic, transit, airport and tourism information.

Callers can receive up-to-the-minute statewide traffic conditions, route-specific information, details on road or lane closures and estimated trip times within metro-Atlanta. Georgia 511 also connects to a variety of transportation and travel services, including MARTA, and 511 systems in neighboring states.

Georgia 511 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is a free call from any landline or mobile phone. Normal airtime rates do apply. Travel information can also be accessed by visiting www.511ga.org or by calling toll-free 1-877-MYGA511 for callers from outside the state.