MARTA is now under federal investigation over its safety and security plans following two stabbings in May.
In a press release, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said he has directed the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to launch an investigation of the transit agency.
The investigation — which will review the transit agency’s security spending, safety protocols, and risks to riders and workers — comes on the heels of two daytime attacks
On May 24, a man was stabbed multiple times at the Georgia State Station following an altercation. Police are actively seeking a suspect and are offering a reward for information.
On May 30, a 66-year-old woman was fatally stabbed on board a MARTA train in what police called a “random attack.” The suspect was arrested and has been charged with murder.
“Every American should be disturbed by the horrific crimes we have seen on MARTA in the last month. No one should be forced to fear for their safety simply because they choose to ride public transit,” Duffy said in the press release. “From our nation’s capital to Chicago, we’ve made substantial progress in holding systems accountable and enhancing security for transit workers and riders. President Trump has made it clear that American families deserve better, and that’s what we are going to deliver in Georgia too.”
The press release claims that MARTA’s crime rate – including assaults, robberies, and rapes – is nearly twice the national average and three-and-a-half times higher than the national average on its rail service
Duffy said MARTA will have 15 days to submit data on crime and fare evasion enforcement, a detailed action plan, and a breakdown of security and safety funding for 2026 and 2027.
MARTA emailed the following statement to Rough Draft following this morning’s announcement:
The safety and security of our customers and employees is our number one priority. Every
day thousands of MARTA employees show up to work at our stations, on our buses and trains, and in our facilities and offices to keep Metro Atlanta moving in a safe and secure manner.
We welcome the opportunity to share with federal officials the hard work that the MARTA team puts in every day as well as the significant investments in personnel, technology, and operational measures that MARTA has in place to support safety and security across our entire system.
MARTA remains committed to continuously evaluating and strengthening our safety programs, procedures, and resources to provide a safe, secure and reliable transit experience for the communities that we serve.
The investigation comes just 11 days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches begin, and as MARTA struggles to complete testing and safety checks on a new fleet of rail cars.
MARTA recently completed an upgrade to its fare gates, including tap-to-pay options for riders, ahead of the World Cup.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
