APTA names MARTA GM/CEO Outstanding Public Transportation Manager

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) selected Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's (MARTA) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Keith Parker, AICP, as the 2015 Outstanding Public Transportation Manager.

 

This award is in recognition of Parker’s major accomplishments at MARTA and his contributions to the public transportation industry during his two-decade career.

“I’m deeply humbled to be recognized by APTA’s selection committee for this honor,” Parker said. “This is a high point in my career and I’m grateful for the opportunities to serve that the public transportation industry has provided me. I want to thank the MARTA Board of Directors, our staff and our customers for their wonderful support and guidance.”

“This is a very significant award that is given only to those individuals who have excelled in leading public transportation systems,” said Michael Melaniphy, APTA president and CEO. “I offer my congratulations to Keith. His record in managing four public transit systems has demonstrated his innovative leadership that has positively transformed each of these agencies. He is truly worthy of national recognition.”

Parker is credited with launching a top-to-bottom transformation of MARTA, the nation’s ninth largest transit agency, at a time when it was still reeling from staggering budget deficits, declining ridership and a poor public image.

MARTA notes that since Parker’s arrival in December 2012, MARTA has stabilized its finances, increased financial reserves and improved its credit rating. Under Parker’s leadership, MARTA experienced a signature achievement when Clayton County joined the transit system, which represents the first jurisdictional expansion since its inception more than four decades ago.

In the coming months, MARTA plans to introduce a host of customer-focused benefits including video surveillance cameras on all of its rail cars and Wi-Fi availability on its buses and trains. MARTA’s Transit-Oriented Development program is poised to create a new round of live-work-play communities at rail stations that will help boost ridership, provide long-term revenue and benefit surrounding neighborhoods.

The 2015 awards ceremony will be held Oct. 6, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif., at APTA’s Annual Conference.

 

Tags: