MARTA wasn’t bluffing.  The AJC reports the transit broad approved substantial budget cuts this morning.

In budget cuts the agency’s board approved unanimously Monday, 40 bus routes are going away. Trains will add wait times up to five minutes more each. Bathrooms will close to the public at 29 stations across the system. This will be the last year for shuttles to Braves games and the Lakewood Amphitheatre.

…In addition, more than 300 MARTA employees will lose their jobs, starting Tuesday. Between them and vacant positions, MARTA’s workforce is shrinking by 14 percent. Two of MARTA’s four ride stores are closing, at Lenox and Lindbergh stations. Customer call center hours are cutting back, and there will be fewer agents at stations.

And that’s not all.  More HERE.

The AJC reports that MARTA’s financial situation is even worse than originally thought.

With a majority of funding coming from the penny sales tax in Fulton and DeKalb, and no support from our car-loving state (or Cobb or Gwinnett), our public transit service has to be ultra-creative in how to raise revenue and cut costs by $10 million.

The most impactful options currently on the table include a 25 cent fare increase and reducing (or even eliminating) weekend service.

Find out all about it tomorrow, Wednesday January 7th.  MARTA is holding a public meeting on the budget at the Decatur Library from 6-9p.