This year, MARTA has a slate of major projects and service enhancements scheduled for completion and implementation. These projects will improve safety and reliability, modernize the customer experience, attract new riders, and ensure MARTA provides high-quality transit service for the Atlanta region.
MARTA Reach launched Saturday, March 7, as a part of the NextGen Bus Network. This new on-demand transit service offers curb-to-curb shared rides in 12 designated zones across MARTA’s service area. The system aims to bridge the gap between neighborhoods and provide easy connections to rail lines and fixed bus routes. In select zones, customers will be able to connect to other MARTA services outside of the Reach zone to access rail and high frequency bus lines. The service is ADA accessible, with vans capable of transporting wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices. Reach is available 18 hours a day, seven days a week providing consistent, convenient service. Riders can book using the MARTA Reach On-Demand Transit App, website, or through the reservation line at (404) 848-6622 daily between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Reach rides will be free until March 28.
Starting Saturday, March 28, 2026, MARTA will begin the transition period to the Better Breeze fare collection system. The new and improved system is modern, flexible, and user-friendly. It features improved security using tap-to-pay, where riders can simply tap a bank card or mobile wallet to purchase fare. Faregates and fareboxes, ticket vending machines, and fare media are being upgraded to provide ease of access and improve customer experience. The transition period will span from March 28 through May 2. Both the new and old systems will remain operational during this time. During the transition period, it is recommended customers obtain the new Breeze cards and download the updated mobile app. Riders are encouraged to spend down their remaining Breeze fare balance before May 2, which is when the old system will be discontinued. Any remaining balances can be transferred to a new, registered Breeze account from May 2 through October 30.
MARTA’s NextGen Bus Network will officially launch Saturday, April 18, 2026, marking the most significant redesign of the Atlanta bus system since the 1970s. Designed to better reflect how the people of Atlanta travel today, the new network will connect riders to more destinations with faster service and fewer transfers. More access equals more opportunities, and the new system features 15-minute service frequency across 17 corridors. Simpler routes will reduce the need for transfers, transfer locations will be timed, and the network will run on a consistent seven-day schedule. The NextGen system will expand access to 145,000 jobs across the Metro Atlanta region, with buses coming every 30 minutes or sooner. The Reach service mentioned above will supplement the network by providing on-demand transit in select zones. Shaped by customer feedback and community guidance, the NextGen Bus Network aims to reflect the changing nature of the Atlanta region to make transit more reliable, convenient, and accessible. To ensure a smooth transition, MARTA has launched an extensive outreach program. Signage has been installed at all bus stops and open houses are being hosted across the region. Transit Ambassadors will be available at rail station bus loops and high traffic stops throughout March and April to help customers navigate their new routes.
The soon to launch Rapid A-Line is Atlanta’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) line. The Rapid A-Line will launch in two phases, with the first beginning April 18, 2026, the same day as the NextGen Bus Network launches. The five-mile Rapid A-Line loop efficiently connects Downtown Atlanta to Capitol Gateway, Summerhill, Peoplestown, and the Beltline’s Southside Trail. It also offers connections to MARTA’s heavy rail system at Five Points, Georgia State, and Garnett Stations. The first phase will feature service hours from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. and buses will operate in dedicated lanes with transit signal priority in areas where construction has been completed. In areas still under construction, temporary bus stops located near the stations will be used. The Rapid A-Line will lower traffic congestion and provide a more efficient commute across the Atlanta area.
