Like other large cities, one foundational pillar of Atlanta’s infrastructure is the public transportation system: Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority or MARTA. As Atlanta heads into a busy and event-filled soccer-focused summer, MARTA is working to complete key projects to enhance rider safety and improve operational reliability.

MARTA is a year-round necessity for many businesses within the Metro Atlanta area, including us here at c21. It gives employees with longer commutes a faster, safer, more sustainable and more accessible way to get to work — one that doesn’t involve idling in traffic for hours or driving while they (or others around them) might still be waking up.

Over the past few years, MARTA has been steadily working through updates to ensure a quality experience for daily commuters, casual riders and visitors – with the updates scheduled for completion before mid-June. Here are a few:

“Better Breeze” Fare Cards

MARTA is completely re-vamping its reloadable “Breeze Cards”— switching to a new system, complete with new fare gates, new machines, new payment options and a new app.

The most notable feature of this change is that commuters will have the ability to pay for their MARTA fare with their mobile wallets and/or bank cards using tap-to-pay, rather than needing to buy a physical ticket or pre-loaded Breeze Card.

This is expected to be especially beneficial for international travelers, making it easier for them to access public transit.

Station Upgrades

In addition, MARTA has been updating its rail stations to make them more welcoming, including MARTA’s busiest station - Five Points Station, which is the central transfer point for all four rail lines.

The upgrades to Five Points Station — which include new lighting, better pedestrian access, public art installations and expanded public space — are expected to be completed by summer 2026.

New Trains

Currently, MARTA’s rail cars are 40 years old and are responsible for more than 50% of the system’s delays. The multi-year, multi-million-dollar solution: 56 brand new trains.

The custom-designed train cars have been completely reimagined to include external lights on the train faces to clearly indicate the line, a significantly opened floorplan — with more space for standing-room, disability accommodation and strollers/bikes/scooters, as well as better sight lines for security. The cars will also include electronic and digital features like real-time maps and charging stations.

While the entire fleet is not projected to be fully operational until as far as 2029, several trains are slated to be ready and running this upcoming June. 

The goal for these multi-area improvements to MARTA is not just to improve the system’s functionality, but also to improve riders’ experience. For Atlanta’s workers, MARTA offers an alternative way to get to work and avoid the hassle of rush hour traffic. For its visitors, an easier and safer way to experience the metro area and the ability to explore all the city has to offer in business, leisure and entertainment.

As we move into the summer, we’ll have to wait and see how all these updates and upgrades unfold.