MARTA will officially launch its NextGen Bus Network on Saturday, April 18 – the first time the entire system has been redrawn from scratch since service began in 1972.
According to a press release, the cornerstone of the NextGen Network is a dramatic increase in high-frequency service. The new network triples the number of corridors where a bus arrives every 15 minutes or better, increasing from 5 corridors to 17, the release said.
This 15-minute means more riders will no longer need to consult a schedule and can simply arrive at a stop and know a bus is coming shortly. Additionally, 11 routes will feature service every 20 minutes or better, ensuring that one-third of the entire network provides high-frequency reliability.
Whether a rider is commuting on a Monday morning, heading to the grocery store on Saturday afternoon, or traveling to a place of worship on Sunday, the service levels will remain nearly the same for most routes. The 81 fixed routes will operate at the same frequency for most of the day, seven days a week, making the system more useful for all our customers, not just the traditional work week commuters.
The redesigned network consists of 81 fixed bus routes optimized for speed and frequency, as well as 12 MARTA Reach on-demand zones, providing flexible, curb-to-curb connectivity in lower-density areas where traditional fixed-route buses were less efficient, the release said.
“The NextGen Bus Network represents a generational transformation in how we deliver bus service for our customers,” Interim MARTA General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt said in a statement. “Atlanta has changed significantly over the last 40 years, and our bus network must reflect that reality. We want to provide a modern transit experience that prioritizes frequency, consistency, and significantly expanded access to the places that matter most to our riders. On balance, this network is a massive improvement for most of our customers and for the region. Our goal is to deliver more access to more places in less time.”
For more information on the NextGen Bus Network, updated route maps, and frequency schedules, visit itsmarta.com/nextgen.
