Just when Richard McCrillis was ready to retire, MARTA pulled him back into play. Ask him and he'll say the decision wasn’t difficult. The 20-year MARTA veteran believes the work that’ll be done over the next two years will help lay the groundwork for the future of public transportation in the region. That was too much to pass up. Business to Business recently caught up with him to get his thoughts on the MARTA way of life.
Business to Business: " To MARTA or not to MARTA? " That's the question. What's the answer?
Richard McCrillis: To MARTA! With 48 miles of tracks, hundreds of bus routes and links to all of metro Atlanta's service providers, it's the best way to get around.
BtoB: You’ve been hailed as a " MARTA kind a guy. " Why all the love?
McCrillis: It's great to be part of a company that contributes so significantly to the region's economy and environment. More importantly, we make a huge difference in many of our customers’ lives. And our employees are such a great group. Many of them have been here since the early days.
BtoB: Describe your plans to restore bus routes and improve trains.
McCrillis: This is our core business. Our customers want and deserve convenient, reliable and safe public transportation. That's what I’m committed to providing. We suffered some of the same economic challenges that many Atlanta-area businesses did, so we had to cut some services. Our finances have recovered and we have an opportunity to not just put services back, but to make them better.
BtoB: Where does MARTA fit into plans for a regional transit system?
McCrillis: We will continue to be the core – all regional systems link to MARTA. Our new fare collection system, Breeze, was designed so that a customer can use one card no matter which system he boards or what his destination is. We also are finishing a regional trip itinerary planning system that will allow transit customers to call our Customer Service Center or go online to plan their trips, including transfers to other providers.
BtoB: Define today's typical MARTA riders.
McCrillis: They’re from all different backgrounds and ride for all different reasons. You’l l see business suits and chef's pants, school uniforms and medical scrubs. We get people to work, school and church, as well as the High Museum of Art, the Georgia Dome and the Atlanta Zoo. We carry residents of our service area, the suburbs and visitors from all over the world. They encompass both transit dependent customers and choice riders.
BtoB: What's your favorite MARTA stop?
McCrillis: I’d have to say Five Points – the heart of the MARTA system. One day I hope we can make the station a hallmark for downtown Atlanta.