Q&A on the News

Q: Occasionally we hear about MARTA “banning” a passenger for violating its rules. Exactly how does MARTA enforce this ban? It’s not likely the violator would have a legal, valid Breeze Card that could be deactivated. Even if this were the case, I see riders regularly “tailgate” through the turnstile or slide under the gate.

A: If an individual enters the system during the time of their suspension and does not commit an offense, they will not be arrested, a MARTA spokeswoman told Q&A on the News in an email.

If a MARTA police officer observes the individual violating a law on MARTA property and checks their information, they would be arrested for criminal trespass. The MARTA Police Department’s goal with the suspension process is to change behavior, the spokeswoman wrote.

Q: Are Jimmy Swaggart and Jerry Lee Lewis cousins?

A: Yes. Lewis’ dad and Swaggart’s grandmother were siblings. They also spent their childhoods together in Ferriday, La., according to news stories and books such as “Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley.”

Lewis and Gilley became well-known country singers, and Swaggart a televangelist.

Q&A on the News runs Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com.