Serious 'Concerns' Lingering with Atlanta Streetcar

Controversies continue to swirl about the safety and operation of the Atlanta Streetcar.

According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Federal Transit Administration has “continuing concerns” with its safety and operation.

A FTA letter to MARTA CEO Keith Parker and Mayor Kasim Reed says it is concerned with multiple problems with the overhead contacts that provide power to streetcars, delinquent maintenance contracts, and lack of technical expertise due to high employee turnover, according to WSB.

City officials now say they will not be able to take over full streetcar operations from MARTA until mid-2016, six months later than planned.

The streetcar reaches into East Atlanta and the Old Fourth Ward with stops along the King Memorial community.