On July 1st, Georgia's new gun law allowing licensed individuals to carry a firearm on public transportation will go into effect. In preparation for this change, MARTA wants to ensure that customers are aware of the new provisions and how the law will be enforced.

Georgia law prohibits the carrying of a pistol, revolver or other firearm on public transit unless a person has a valid firearms license to carry a gun. This license must be carried at any time that an individual is carrying a firearm on MARTA. MARTA police will strictly enforce all provisions of this law. Any individual found to be carrying a firearm without a permit will have it confiscated and will be issued a citation pursuant to Georgia law.

MARTA's work rules strictly prohibit all MARTA employees, whether licensed or not, from the possession of any type of firearm while on MARTA property. This prohibition applies to employees' vehicles while vehicles are parked on any Authority property designated as a secured employee parking area.

When taking MARTA to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, customers need to be aware that firearms laws governing the Airport are different from those governing MARTA. Please see the Airport's website to review their firearms regulations.

MARTA will continue to be diligent in its efforts to provide a safe and secure system. If customers witness suspicious activity, they are advised first and foremost not to put themselves in harms way. Please use discretion and report any suspicious activity to a MARTA police officer or talk to a MARTA staff member who will immediately contact the police. In addition, emergency call buttons are located in all rail cars which go directly to the train operator and bus operators are able to contact MARTA police in case immediate assistance is needed. Customers can also reach MARTA Police by dialing (404) 848-4911 or by pressing #MPD on any AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint/Nextel cellular phone. Blackberry users press #673.

MARTA is the best way to get to great events in Atlanta this July 4th with extra service running throughout the day to get customers quickly and conveniently to the Peachtree Road Race, Braves game, fireworks displays and festivals.

Customers are encouraged to purchase roundtrip fare at the start of their trip to avoid long lines on the return. Parking for less than 24 hours is free at all MARTA parking facilities. Some bus routes will be re-routed for the Peachtree Road Race and other scheduled events. Please visit www.itsmarta.com or call 404-848-5000 for more information on MARTA's July 4th service.

Peachtree Road Race 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Start of Race: Buckhead or Lenox Rail Stations
End of Race: Civic Center Rail Station

4TH of July at Lenox Square 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Lenox or Buckhead Rail Stations
Streets around Lenox Square will be closed starting at 6 p.m.

4TH of July at Centennial Park 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center or Peachtree Center Station
Customers should expect delays on routes 1 and 11.

Atlanta Pride Festival 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Civic Center Rail Station

Atlanta Braves Game and Fireworks 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Five Points Rail Station
Catch the Shuttle from Underground Atlanta. The Shuttle returns to that location until the seventh inning. After the seventh inning, fans are taken to the Five Points rail station.

MARTA's Board of Directors voted to approve the Authority's FY09 Capital and Operating Budget during their June meeting. The budget includes $395.5 in projected operating expenditures and $386.5 million in projected capital outlay and an additional $148.9 million in capital debt service. The budget is based on MARTA's commitment to maintaining financial stability, improving the customer experience, and investing in the safety, security and reliability of service.

The FY09 operating budget also makes additional investments in MARTA's Mobility paratransit service, provides for additional bus operators to improve the cost effectiveness of service delivery, and focuses on keeping the system in a state of good repair.

The FY09 budget does not raise fares or reduce service. MARTA has not raised fares since 2001 due in part to cost containment measures, sound financial management and a strong economy.

MARTA will utilize $43 million from its reserve fund to balance its FY09 budget due to declining sales tax revenues as a result of the economic downturn as well as the December 2008 sunset on legislation that allowed MARTA to utilize 5% of capital funding and the interest income on capital reserves for operating expenses. In addition, the system improvements made in FY07 have been in operation a full year contributing to the need to use reserve funds.

The FY09 capital budget also allocates funding to the Authority's planning program and for the replacement and rehabilitation of facilities and equipment.