By Daniel Niepow, Associate Editor

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) late last week unveiled plans to replace its entire rail-car fleet.

In the 2018 “State of MARTA” address, Interim General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth O’Neill said the agency is scheduled to award the nearly $1 billion contract sometime this year.

Although O’Neill didn’t specify a date, radio station WABE reported that the contract is expected to be awarded within the first six months of the year. The new rail cars will feature better air conditioning and heating, as well as a more comfortable design for riders, according to the station.

In addition, MARTA Chairman Robbie Ashe said he hopes the agency will eventually establish Georgia’s first commuter-rail service in Clayton County.

“As our region gains more than 100,000 residents per year, we cannot simply pave our way out of traffic,” Ashe said during his State of MARTA remarks.