Technical Issues with Farebox Distort CobbLinc's Ridership and Revenue Data

Marietta Daily Journal Podcast

MDJ Script/ Top Stories for Feb 15th

Publish Date: Feb 14th

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From the Drake Realty Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.

Today is Thursday, February 15th, and Happy 69th Birthday to Simpson creator Matt Groening.

***02.15.24 – BIRTHDAY – MATT GROENING***

I’m Dan Radcliffe and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Credit Union of Georgia.

1. Technical Issues with Farebox Distort CobbLinc's Ridership and Revenue Data
2. Cobb County to Launch Innovative Transit Pilot Program in South Cobb
3. Cobb Commissioner Challenges Chairwoman's Funding Proposals Amid Trust Issues

Plus, Bruce Jenkins sits down with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets to discuss microwave meals.

All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!

BREAK: CU of GA

STORY 1: Farebox Malfunctions Skew CobbLinc Data on Riders, Revenue

Activists and Cobb County bus drivers have raised concerns about the reliability of the county's bus system ridership data due to faulty fareboxes. Local transit advocate Matt Stigall and Reverend Jeff Jones have voiced their skepticism, supported by four CobbLinc drivers who confirmed the existence of these technical problems.

In response to these issues, the Cobb Department of Transportation is set to request a $1.3 million budget allocation for the replacement of the malfunctioning fareboxes. This move acknowledges the technical issues that have been causing data inaccuracies.

The timing of these developments coincides with an upcoming vote in Cobb County on November 5. The vote will decide on a proposed 30-year, 1% sales tax (M-SPLOST) designed to fund future transit projects. However, there are ongoing concerns about the current ridership numbers and the financial sustainability of these projects.

Bus drivers have reported increased stress levels due to the faulty equipment, which has also led to additional distractions as they are forced to manually count passengers. To address these concerns and improve data accuracy, Cobb DOT director Drew Raessler plans to seek approval for the farebox replacement from the county commission by April 9.

STORY 2: Cobb to Implement Transit Pilot Program in South Cobb

The Cobb Board of Commissioners has greenlighted an initiative to fund a two-year pilot microtransit program in the southern region of Cobb County. With an approved budget of nearly $3.5 million, the program is designed to boost localized, on-demand transit services. Primarily funded through state and federal grants, the county will be responsible for covering 30% of the total cost.

The microtransit program aims to provide curb-to-curb service, connecting riders to other transit services within Cobb County and extending to Atlanta. This initiative is part of a broader plan, the Mobility Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (M-SPLOST), which proposes funding for significant transit improvements. These include the addition of 108 miles of bus rapid transit and arterial rapid transit routes.

Despite facing opposition from several commissioners, the microtransit program ultimately received approval. Funding for a potential third year of the program is currently being reviewed by CobbLinc and the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority.

STORY 3: I Don't Trust You': Cobb Commissioner Fights Chairwoman's Funding Requests

During a recent Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting, a heated debate arose between Chairwoman Lisa Cupid and Commissioner Keli Gambrill. The dispute centered around Cupid's proposal to shift $200,000 from her contingency fund to the county's operational budget. This move, which was ultimately passed with a 4-1 vote, is intended to finance policy research and other related expenses.

Gambrill accused Cupid of lacking transparency in her actions, raising specific concerns about the expenditure on the "Cupid Loves Cobb Tour." This initiative, led by Cupid, aims to spotlight local businesses. In response to Gambrill's criticisms, Cupid defended the tour as a valuable community event.

The exchange emphasized the deepening divisions within the commission. During an hour-long debate, both Cupid and Gambrill exchanged personal barbs, highlighting the ongoing tensions.

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We’ll be right back.

Break: DRAKE

STORY 4: Cobb Elections Establishing New Absentee Ballot Division

Cobb County Elections Director, Tate Fall, recently received approval from the Board of Commissioners to establish distinct absentee and registration divisions within her department. This structural change is intended to ease the workload on staff during election periods.

To support this reorganization, Fall requested funding for three new full-time positions: a division manager, a communications specialist, and a GIS analyst. However, Commissioner Keli Gambrill expressed reservations about the approval process.

Fall underscored the importance of these new roles in ensuring effective voter service and enhancing the organizational structure of the department. The division manager will be responsible for overseeing aspects of election operations, which will enable better focus and efficiency.

STORY 5: Kennesaw State University to Offer Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

The University System of Georgia's Board of Regents has given the green light to Kennesaw State University (KSU) to launch a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) degree program. Set to begin in fall 2024, KSU becomes the second institution in the state to offer a master's degree in AI, aiming to cater to the growing demand for professionals in this field.

This interdisciplinary program will be based in the College of Computing and Software Engineering and will build upon the existing AI Concentration within the Computer Science Department. KSU President Kathy Schwaig emphasized that the program is designed to prepare the next generation of AI leaders and address the changing needs of the workforce.

The MSAI curriculum will provide an integrated approach to computer science, data science, IT, and software engineering, preparing students for a wide range of roles within the AI sector. Graduates of this program will be well-positioned to enter a field that is projected to have a substantial impact on the global economy by 2030.

The program places a strong emphasis on practical experience, offering internships and collaborative projects to equip students with the skills necessary to handle real-world AI challenges.

We’ll be back in a moment.

Break: INGLES 9

STORY 6: LEAH MCGRATH

And now here is Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets to discuss microwave meals.

Break:

Signoff-

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at MDJonline.com.

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