MARTA officials said the cuts were needed to cover a $12 million budget shortfall. Since the hearings, local government officials suddenly came up with a way to avoid the service cuts by shifting money from MARTA's capital fund to its operating budget. This requires approval from the Georgia legislature. At the hearing held at MARTA's headquarters, many people pointed to the large new office building as an example of the authority's misplaced priorities.

MARTA officials tried to blame the September attack on the World Trade Center in New York for some of Atlanta's transportation budget shortfall, claiming it brought on an economic decline resulting in less revenue from the sales tax they depend on. This was greeted with disbelief and outrage by those at the hearings.

Among the routes targeted to be cut are several of the "700 series" or "maid routes," which hold a special significance for many working people. A recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that these routes were created in 1971 as the result of work by the National Domestic Workers Union (NDWU). The organization supported domestic workers when they sought raises and better working conditions. Domestic workers at that time, almost exclusively Black women, averaged about $8 to $10 a day.

In 1969, Dorothy Bolden, along with other leaders of the NDWU, called for a boycott of MARTA's predecessor, the private Atlanta Transit Co., when it proposed raising fares a nickel to 40 cents. They backed a referendum that created MARTA to replace the private company in 1971. The referendum won and bus service was expanded through the Black neighborhoods. Also won were more contracts with minority-owned businesses and a cut in fares to 15 cents for five years.

MARTA officials held the recent hearings in small rooms, preventing hundreds of people who showed up from getting in. Under these conditions promises that all would be heard only added insult to injury. Despite the chaotic conditions, people listened seriously as one after another of those testifying explained what the cuts would mean in terms of getting to work, school, health care appointments, stores, and cultural events. Statements from MARTA officials were greeted with jeers.

One of those in attendance, Ruby Green, who works at the Marshall's distribution center and is a member of the Union of Needletrades Industrial and Textile Employees, said, "I work a weekend shift.... With the proposed cuts I couldn't work my shift and my co-workers couldn't work Saturday overtime. This is a question for our unions."

Eleanor García, Socialist Workers candidate for U.S. Senate, campaigned along with supporters at the hearings by distributing a statement explaining that public transportation is a right, and demanding that no cuts be made to the bus service. The statement also called on the government to enact a massive public works program to upgrade public transportation and other needed facilities, increase the minimum wage, and cancel the $2 trillion debt imposed on semicolonial countries by Washington and other imperialist governments. García addressed the cuts and expanded on the socialist campaign's demands at a Militant Labor Forum held January 4.  
 
 
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