Atlanta’s public transit authority, MARTA will be under federal investigation after a high profile stabbing death. John McCosh/Georgia Recorder
The Federal Transit Administration will launch an investigation into Atlanta’s public transit authority after two stabbing attacks frightened commuters last month.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that his agency will look into MARTA’s security spending, safety protocols and risks to riders and workers.
“Every American should be disturbed by the horrific crimes we have seen on MARTA in the last month,” Duffy said in a statement. “No one should be forced to fear for their safety simply because they choose to ride public transit.”
On May 30, 66-year-old Margaret Swan died after being stabbed multiple times on a MARTA train. A 25-year-old Decatur man is in custody and faces charges related to the killing.
On May 24, a 40-year-old man was stabbed at a MARTA station following an altercation, according to federal authorities. Police are seeking a suspect in that attack.
The transit agency serves more than 500,000 people every weekday across trains, buses and streetcars. It’s likely to come under increased scrutiny when soccer fans descend on the city for a series of World Cup matches starting later this month.
Duffy says MARTA has 15 days to submit data on security including on their safety funding and action plans.
In an email, MARTA senior communications director Stephany Fisher suggested MARTA will comply with the investigation.
“We welcome the opportunity to share with federal officials the hard work that the MARTA team puts in every day as well as the significant investments in personnel, technology, and operational measures that MARTA has in place to support safety and security across our entire system,” Fisher said.
Fisher said safety and security are top priorities for the thousands of people MARTA employs.
“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,” she added.
Under the Trump administration, the FTA has also ordered investigations into transit agencies in cities including Chicago, Washington, New York and Los Angeles.
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