View source for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

{{Short description|Public transit operator in Metro Atlanta, Georgia}}
{{Redirect|MARTA}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox public transit
| name = Metropolitan Atlanta<br />Rapid Transit Authority
| image = Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (logo).svg
| imagesize = 
| image2 = Marta atlanta skyline.jpg
| image3 = MARTA Rail Map.svg
| imagesize2 = 
| caption2 = MARTA Rail System
| caption3 = System map
| owner = 
| locale = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
| transit_type = {{Plainlist|
* [[Public transport bus service|Bus]]
* [[Bus rapid transit]] (2025)
* [[Paratransit]]
* [[Rapid transit]] (heavy rail)
* [[Streetcar]]
}}
| lines = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
 |Bus: 113
 |Bus rapid transit: 1 (2025)
 |Rail rapid transit: 4
 |Streetcar: 1
}}
| stations = 38 (rail)<br />12 (streetcar)
| annual_ridership = {{Unbulleted list
   | {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA total annual}} (total, {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
   | {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA MB annual}} (bus, {{American transit ridership|annualdate}})
   | {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA HR annual}} (rail, {{American transit ridership|annualdate}})
   | {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA LR annual}} (streetcar, {{American transit ridership|annualdate}})
 }}
| daily_ridership = {{Unbulleted list
   | {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA total daily}} (total, {{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
   | {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA MB daily}} (bus, {{American transit ridership|dailydate}})
   | {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA HR daily}} (rail, {{American transit ridership|dailydate}})
   | {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA LR daily}} (streetcar, {{American transit ridership|dailydate}})
 }}
| chief_executive = 
| headquarters = Atlanta, Georgia
| website = {{URL|itsmarta.com}}
| began_operation = {{Start date and age|1972|02|17}} (buses)<br />{{Start date and age|1979|06|30}} (rail)
| operator =
| vehicles = 
| system_length = {{convert|48|mi|km|abbr=on}}
| track_gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| top_speed = {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}
| el = {{750 V DC|conductor=third rail}} (rapid transit)<br />{{750 V DC|conductor=overhead}} (streetcar)
| map = 
}}

The '''Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority''' ('''MARTA''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɑr|t|ə}}) is the principal [[public transport]] operator in the [[Atlanta metropolitan area]]. Formed in 1971 as strictly a [[bus]] system, MARTA operates a network of [[Public transport bus service|bus routes]] linked to a [[rapid transit]] system consisting of {{convert|48|mi|km}} of [[Railway track|rail track]] with 38 [[Metro station|subway stations]]. MARTA's rapid transit system is [[List of United States rapid transit systems by ridership|the eighth-largest rapid transit system in the United States by ridership]].

MARTA operates almost exclusively in [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton]], [[Clayton County, Georgia|Clayton]], and [[DeKalb County, Georgia|DeKalb]] counties, although they maintain bus service to two destinations in neighboring [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County]] ([[Six Flags Over Georgia]] and the [[Cumberland (Atlanta)|Cumberland]] Transfer Center next to the [[Cumberland Mall (Georgia)|Cumberland Mall]] which offers a connection to many [[CobbLinc]] bus services), while [[Doraville station]] serves portions of [[Gwinnett County, Georgia|Gwinnett County]] via [[Ride Gwinnett]] buses. MARTA also operates MARTA Mobility, a separate [[paratransit]] service for disabled customers.

In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, the entire system (bus and subway lines) had {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA total annual}} rides, or about {{American transit ridership|GA Atlanta MARTA total daily}} per weekday in {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}. 

After 2000, expansion of the MARTA system stalled, after the completion of three new rail stations north of the [[Interstate 285 (Georgia)|Interstate 285]]. In 2016, Atlanta voters approved a historic sales tax increase to raise $2.7 billion over 40 years, in order to significantly expand the MARTA system (dubbed the More MARTA program), including 29 miles of [[Light rail|light rail transit]], 13 miles of bus rapid transit, arterial rapid transit, transit centers and multiple infill MARTA stations. Since its inception, the More MARTA program has been criticized for slow progress, delays, and reversals on executing its list of expansion projects.<ref name=":5" />

==History==
{{Main|History of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority}}
[[File:Marta plan.png|thumb|Map of the initial plan of the MARTA system from 1976]]

=== Beginnings ===
MARTA was proposed as a rapid transit agency for DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, Gwinnett, and Cobb counties. These were the five original counties in the [[Atlanta metropolitan area]], and to this day are the five largest counties in the region and state.  MARTA was formed by an act of the [[Georgia General Assembly]] in 1965. In the same year, four of the five metropolitan area counties (Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett) and the [[Atlanta, Georgia|City of Atlanta]] passed a referendum authorizing participation in the system, but the referendum failed in Cobb.

Although a 1968 referendum to fund MARTA failed, in 1971, voters in Fulton and DeKalb counties successfully passed a 1% sales tax increase to pay for MARTA operations, while Clayton and Gwinnett counties overwhelmingly rejected the tax in the referendum.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Almy |first1=Timothy A. |title=Assessing Electoral Defeat: New Directions and Values for MARTA |url=https://www.barthildreth.com/uploads/general/Assessing-Electoral-Defeat-New-Directions-and-Values-for-MARTA.pdf |publisher=Urban Mass Transportation Administration |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref> Gwinnett County remains outside of the MARTA system. In November 2014, however, Clayton County voters passed a 1% sales tax to join the MARTA system, reversing its 1971 decision.<ref name=bullard>{{cite book| author=Bullard, R. D.| year=2000| title=Sprawl City: Race, Politics, and Planning in Atlanta| location=Washington, D.C.| publisher=Island Press| pages=[https://archive.org/details/sprawlcityracepo0000unse/page/52 52–59]| isbn=1-55963-790-0| display-authors=etal| url=https://archive.org/details/sprawlcityracepo0000unse/page/52}}</ref> 

Also in 1971, the agency agreed to purchase the existing, bus-only [[Atlanta Transit Company]]; the sale of the company closed on February 17, 1972, giving the agency control over all public transit in the immediate Atlanta area.<ref name="hist1970">{{cite web|url=http://itsmarta.com/about/history02.htm |title=History of MARTA - 1970-1979 |access-date=March 2, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050204222807/http://itsmarta.com/about/history02.htm| archive-date = February 4, 2005}}</ref>

=== Heavy rail system ===
Construction began on MARTA's heavy rail system in 1975, with the first rail service commencing on June 30, 1979.<ref name=hist1970/>  The system has since built most of the proposed rail lines, as well as stations in Dunwoody, [[Sandy Springs (MARTA station)|Sandy Springs]], and [[North Springs (MARTA station)|North Springs]], which were not included in the original plan. The missing rail segments from the original plan include a [[Tucker, Georgia|Tucker]]-North DeKalb line with service to [[Emory University]] and [[North Druid Hills, Georgia|North Druid Hills]], a Northwest line with service to [[Brookwood Hills|Brookwood]] and Northside Drive, the extension of the West line to Brownlee-Boulder Park near Fairburn Road, the extension of the Proctor Creek line to West Highlands, and a branch off the south line to [[Hapeville, Georgia|Hapeville]] and Clayton County.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://world.nycsubway.org/us/atlanta/marta-provisions.html |title=MARTA Provisions for Future Extensions |access-date=February 24, 2008 |last=Ferreira |first=Robert |publisher=world.nysubway.org |archive-date=February 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216232421/http://world.nycsubway.org/us/atlanta/marta-provisions.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Georgia State University]] was contracted to undergo archaeological excavations of rail construction areas in the late 1970s with the [[MARTA Archeology Project]]. Artifacts from the excavations are still housed at GSU.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://martaphoenixproject.gsuanthropology.com|title=Phoenix Project home page|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515043256/https://martaphoenixproject.gsuanthropology.com/ |archive-date=May 15, 2024}}</ref>

In December 2000, MARTA opened the final three MARTA rail stations to be built, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and North Springs - all north of the [[Interstate 285 (Georgia)|Interstate 285]] [[beltway|Perimeter]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority |url=https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/metropolitan-atlanta-rapid-transit-authority-marta/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=New Georgia Encyclopedia |language=en-US}}</ref> The tracks to those stations were run on the surface of the [[road median|median strip]] of [[Georgia 400]], which was constructed just east of the [[Buckhead (Atlanta)|Buckhead area]] as a [[tollway]] during the early 1990s. This is one of just two places at which the MARTA rail system extends outside of Interstate 285. The other is at the [[Indian Creek (MARTA station)|Indian Creek Station]] in eastern DeKalb County.

Since 2000, there have been no active railway expansion projects in the MARTA system due to lack of additional sales-tax funding, the need to spend its limited capital budget on refurbishing its older [[rolling stock]], replacing the fare-collection system, repairing the tracks and their electrical systems, and other long-term [[maintenance, repair, and operations]] requirements.

=== Memorial Drive BRT ===
On September 27, 2010, MARTA opened a [[bus rapid transit]] line along [[Memorial Drive (Atlanta)|Memorial Drive]] from [[Kensington (MARTA station)|Kensington Station]] to the Goldsmith Road MARTA park and ride lot in [[Stone Mountain, Georgia|Stone Mountain]] and Ponce De Leon Avenue. The bus had two routes: The Q&nbsp;Express runs between MARTA's Kensington Station and a free 150-car Park-and-Ride lot at Goldsmith Road & Memorial Drive; The Express only stops twice along the way at North Hairston Road and again at Georgia Perimeter College.

The Q Limited also ran north along Memorial Drive from Kensington Station but branched off at North Hairston Road on the way to East Ponce de Leon Avenue. The Q&nbsp;Limited had four stops along the way in addition the same stops for the Express The implementation of revenue-collecting service had initially been planned for early 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Memorial Drive Arterial Bus Rapid Transit |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/Memorial_BRT.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025343/http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/Memorial_BRT.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority}}</ref> Due to low ridership, BRT service was discontinued.

=== Expansion to Clayton County ===
{{main|Clayton County commuter rail}}

On July 5, 2014, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, by a margin of 3-1 (Jeff Turner, Shana Rooks, and Sonna Gregory voting in favor,) approved a contract with MARTA to extend service to the county, financed by a 1 percent sales tax. Fulton and DeKalb county leaders approved the expansion. On November 4, 2014, Clayton County residents approved the 1% sales tax to join MARTA. Bus service was implemented on March 21, 2015. The contract also includes provisions for future rail transit to the county by 2025.<ref>{{cite web |author=John Ruch |date=July 5, 2014 |title=Clayton approves MARTA contract for November ballot |url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-218191-clayton-approves-marta-contract-for-november |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714154106/http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2014/07/05/clayton-approves-marta-contract-for-november-ballot |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=July 5, 2014 |publisher=Creative Loafing Atlanta}}</ref>

In 2018, [[commuter rail]] was selected as the locally preferred alternative of transit mode along the Clayton county corridor, with plans to construct a line from [[East Point station]] to [[Jonesboro, Georgia|Jonesboro]] and [[Lovejoy, Georgia|Lovejoy]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Saporta |first1=Maria |date=July 13, 2018 |title=Commuter rail is MARTA's choice for Clayton County |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/07/13/commuter-rail-is-marta-s-choice-for-clayton-county.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810120852/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/07/13/commuter-rail-is-marta-s-choice-for-clayton-county.html |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |access-date=July 13, 2018 |agency=Atlanta Business Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/News_And_Events/Clayton-County-MARTA-Map.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112045716/http://www.itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/News_And_Events/Clayton-County-MARTA-Map.pdf |archive-date=November 12, 2014 |access-date=November 12, 2014}}</ref> Those plans fell apart after the [[Norfolk Southern Railway]] said it would not allow MARTA to use its track.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wickert |first=David |title=Former official: MARTA short of cash for Atlanta, Clayton County expansions |url=https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/atlanta-intown/former-official-marta-short-of-cash-for-atlanta-clayton-county-expansions/2UBKQPJ2MZDJRLD3SZJ7Z7NZ5I/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref>

=== Expansion to Gwinnett County ===
In September 2018, MARTA's board of directors and the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners gave conditional approval to an agreement that would see MARTA assume, and significantly expand, operations of [[Ride Gwinnett|Gwinnett's bus system]] (in operation since 2001) and clear the way for the long-sought-after extension of MARTA's rail system into the county from its current terminus at Doraville. The population of Gwinnett County has significantly increased, and become more racially and ethnically diverse, since 1990, the last time the county rejected joining MARTA. Whereas white business elites were the initial demographic to support the MARTA in 1965, most black voters had voted to fund transit. Large communities of rural white Georgians opposed MARTA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2017 |title=How Racial Discrimination Shaped Atlanta's Transportation Mess |url=https://usa.streetsblog.org/2017/02/08/how-racial-discrimination-shaped-atlantas-transportation-mess/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201000707/https://usa.streetsblog.org/2017/02/08/how-racial-discrimination-shaped-atlantas-transportation-mess/ |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=December 5, 2020 |website=Streetsblog USA |language=en-US}}</ref>

The original plan in 2018 includes a detailed multi-year plan to expand heavy rail rapid transit in Gwinnett County. Some aspects of the Connect Gwinnett plan will include a train that runs every ten minutes, and also get more buses to take people to the MARTA station. This was possible because Georgia Legislature permitted counties to raise taxes to fund transit, which before was not allowed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Connect Gwinnett: Transit Plan {{!}} Gwinnett County |url=https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/Departments/Transportation/ConnectGwinnett |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023054/https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/Departments/Transportation/ConnectGwinnett |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=December 5, 2020 |website=www.gwinnettcounty.com}}</ref>  The contract with MARTA would go into effect only if a public vote, that was scheduled for March 19, 2019, succeeded. The agreement called for a new one-cent sales tax that would be collected in Gwinnett County until 2057.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Estep |first=Tyler |date=September 6, 2018 |title=MARTA board approves historic Gwinnett contract |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/breaking-marta-board-approves-historic-gwinnett-contract/MNrrRvZCOfI16On3YTmORO/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912165704/https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/breaking-marta-board-approves-historic-gwinnett-contract/MNrrRvZCOfI16On3YTmORO/ |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |access-date=September 12, 2018 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (ajc.com)}}</ref> On March 19, 2019, the third transit referendum failed, with 54.32% of the vote being "No" to expand.<ref>{{cite web |author=Yeomans |first=Curt |date=March 19, 2019 |title=Gwinnett back at square one after MARTA rejected in key vote |url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-back-at-square-one-after-marta-rejected-in-key/article_5703ed50-5969-5cb9-8448-be0254ec809d.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729180946/https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-back-at-square-one-after-marta-rejected-in-key/article_5703ed50-5969-5cb9-8448-be0254ec809d.html |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |access-date=March 26, 2019 |website=Gwinnett Daily Post}}</ref> A fourth transit referendum was added to the ballot during the 2020 presidential election, which failed by a margin of slightly more than 1,000 voters as 50.13% of voters chose to vote against the referendum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeomans |first=Curt |date=November 7, 2020 |title=Gwinnett has — once again — rejected a transit tax in narrow defeat of referendum |url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-has-once-again-rejected-a-transit-tax-in-narrow-defeat-of-referendum/article_f104d988-211c-11eb-b179-433778ed616e.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928204351/https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-has-once-again-rejected-a-transit-tax-in-narrow-defeat-of-referendum/article_f104d988-211c-11eb-b179-433778ed616e.html |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |website=Gwinnett Daily Post |language=en}}</ref>

=== More MARTA program ===
In November 2016, 71% of Atlanta voters approved a half-penny sales tax increase to fund "More MARTA" projects, projected to raise $2.7 billion over 40 years, in order to significantly expand MARTA by constructing additional bus rapid transit and light rail lines, and multiple and infill stations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MARTA |url=https://www.itsmarta.com/more-marta-board-vote.aspx |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=www.itsmarta.com |quote=The More MARTA Atlanta program will be partially funded by approximately $2.7 billion generated by a half-penny sales tax approved by city voters in 2016. Additional public and private funding will be sought to advance and expand key aspects of the program.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MARTA |url=https://www.itsmarta.com/moremarta.aspx |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=www.itsmarta.com}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Stafford |first1=Leon |last2=Kass |first2=Arielle |title=MARTA tax increase begins in Atlanta, others follow in Fulton April 1 |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/marta-tax-increase-begins-atlanta-others-follow-fulton-april/WIqCWJlBSlDCMnYG4hrIaI/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Kass |first=Arielle |title=Fulton, Atlanta transportation taxes appear to win; MARTA approved |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/fulton-atlanta-transportation-taxes-appear-win-marta-approved/XdoaaJmBOa0oZyqFimhoLL/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref> In October 2018, MARTA's board approved and allocated funding towards a comprehensive list of "More MARTA" projects, including 29 miles of [[Light rail|light rail transit]] (LRT), 13 miles of bus rapid transit (BRT), arterial rapid transit (ART), transit centers and 15 MARTA stations:<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Wickert |first=David |title=MARTA unveils revised Atlanta expansion plan |url=https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/atlanta-intown/marta-unveils-revised-atlanta-expansion-plan/Y2RRXEU5EVHDLINFPEVXJBME3E/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=22-Mile Loop of Pedestrian-friendly Transit on the Atlanta Beltline |url=https://beltline.org/learn/progress-planning/transit/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=Atlanta BeltLine |language=en |quote=Transit has always been at the core of the Atlanta Beltline. Conceived as a 22-mile transportation corridor where pedestrian-friendly light rail transit and urban trails coexist, the Beltline aims to create “whole communities” where people can easily access jobs, services, goods, amenities, and the City’s larger transit network without relying on cars. Every design, plan, and concrete pour on the Beltline has anticipated future transit. The rendering above is a concept of green transportation along the Beltline.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Keenan |first1=Sean |date=October 5, 2018 |title=After Beltline transit win, More MARTA project list is officially approved |url=https://atlanta.curbed.com/2018/10/5/17940638/beltline-transit-advocates-more-marta-board-revised-approved |access-date=December 11, 2018 |agency=Curbed}}</ref>

# [[Atlanta Beltline|BeltLine]] Northeast LRT
# BeltLine Northwest LRT
# BeltLine Southwest LRT
# BeltLine Southeast LRT
# Campbellton Rd LRT
# [[Clifton Corridor]] LRT
# [[Atlanta Streetcar]] Downtown East Extension
# Atlanta Streetcar Downtown West Extension
# Capitol Ave BRT
# North Ave-Hollowell Parkway BRT
# Northside Drive BRT
# Peachtree Road BRT
# Cleveland Ave ART
# Metropolitan Parkway ART
# Greenbriar Transit Center
# Moores Mill Transit Center

In March 2023, MARTA significantly scaled back its list of projects prioritized for delivery by 2028, to six transit lines and the renovation and construction of 3 transit stations.<ref name=":3" /> Among those prioritized projects included the Summerhill, Campbellton, and Clifton Corridor BRTs, the [[Atlanta Streetcar]] Downtown East Extension to [[Ponce City Market]], reconstruction of [[Five Points station]], and a platform extension at [[Bankhead station]].<ref name=":3" /> Other projects, including BeltLine LRT at other corridors, transit centers, and the Streetcar Downtown West Extension, were deprioritized.<ref name=":3" /> In response to the announcement, the Atlanta City Council unanimously approved an independent audit of More MARTA's program revenues and expenditures.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wickert |first=David |title=Council demands audit of MARTA's Atlanta expansion program |url=https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/atlanta-intown/council-demands-audit-of-martas-atlanta-expansion-program/TX64SJAFIBDGFPY22MO7YVYQ3U/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref> MARTA has been criticized for slow progress on its More MARTA expansion, rising costs, and ongoing delays.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Wickert |first=David |title=MARTA's Atlanta expansion: Moving forward under scrutiny |url=https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/atlanta-intown/martas-atlanta-expansion-moving-forward-under-scrutiny/PEAKGC52MBANBCYUDSUFJ7BXCU/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref> 

In June 2023, MARTA selected a designer extend the Atlanta Streetcar to the BeltLine.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Josh |date=June 22, 2023 |title=MARTA picks designer for streetcar extension into Atlanta BeltLine {{!}} Urbanize Atlanta |url=https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/marta-picks-designer-streetcar-extension-ponce-city-market-images |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=atlanta.urbanize.city |language=en}}</ref> Construction of the $230 million was set to begin in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Patrick |date=March 9, 2024 |title=BeltLine transit battle: Inside the design draft of MARTA's Streetcar east extension line |url=https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/03/09/beltline-transit-battle-inside-design-draft-martas-streetcar-east-extension-line/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=Atlanta News First |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Josh |date=March 13, 2025 |title=Atlanta mayor yanks support for eastside Beltline streetcar {{!}} Urbanize Atlanta |url=https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/breaking-mayor-yanks-support-eastside-beltline-streetcar |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=atlanta.urbanize.city |language=en}}</ref> In March 2025, Atlanta mayor [[Andre Dickens]] withdrew his support from the Streetcar East Extension, and reprioritized a streetcar extension into the Southside corridor instead.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Collin |date=March 13, 2025 |title=UPDATE: Dickens rejects new MARTA audit findings, 'reprioritizes' streetcar extension to Beltline |url=https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/03/13/dickens-marta-board-streetcar-extension/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=Rough Draft Atlanta |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Josh |date=March 13, 2025 |title=Atlanta mayor yanks support for eastside Beltline streetcar {{!}} Urbanize Atlanta |url=https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/breaking-mayor-yanks-support-eastside-beltline-streetcar |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=atlanta.urbanize.city |language=en}}</ref> Various lobbying groups, including Better Atlanta Transit had lobbied against this extension, while advocates of BeltLine transit, including Beltline Rail Now criticized the late-breaking decision.<ref name=":42" /><ref name=":32" />

In March 2024, Mayor [[Andre Dickens]] announced that four new infill stations would be constructed across the network, including at Murphy Crossing – intersecting with the [[Atlanta BeltLine|BeltLine]] – as well as at [[Krog Street Market|Krog Street]], Joseph E. Boone, and [[Armour Yard|Armour Yards]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lifsey |first1=Jennifer |date=March 25, 2024 |title=4 new MARTA rail stations coming to Atlanta, mayor announces |url=https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/03/25/4-new-rail-stations-added-part-citys-marta-expansion-mayor-dickens-announces/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |publisher=Atlanta News First}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=First staff |first1=Atlanta News |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Locations revealed for new 4 Atlanta MARTA stations |url=https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/04/11/locations-revealed-4-new-atlanta-marta-stations/ |access-date=April 11, 2024 |publisher=Atlanta News First}}</ref>

In June 2024, MARTA began construction on the Summerhill BRT, MARTA's first new transit line in 2 decades and Atlanta's first BRT line.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Josh |date=June 17, 2024 |title=Photos: Atlanta's first rapid bus line, fresh bike lanes make progress {{!}} Urbanize Atlanta |url=https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/marta-first-bus-rapid-transit-line-fresh-bike-lanes-progress-photos |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=atlanta.urbanize.city |language=en}}</ref> The $91 million project was projected to be complete in spring 2025.<ref name=":4" /> The 5-mile (8-kilometer) line will run from downtown Atlanta, through Summerhill, and end at the [[Atlanta Beltline]]. The line, named the "MARTA Rapid A Line", will utilize new {{Convert|60|ft|abbr=on}} articulated [[Battery electric bus|electric buses]]. In April 2025, completion of construction was delayed to 2026, due to construction issues.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gregory |first=Sara |title=MARTA BRT project delayed by long-forgotten parking garage, trolley lines |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/marta-brt-project-delayed-by-long-forgotten-parking-garage-trolley-lines/5PUNCEY6XFFTHNUZ3FRMWXUW2M/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref>

In July 2024, MARTA paused a $230 million renovation project of [[Five Points station]], due to opposition from the Atlanta City Council and mayor, due to the project's impact to pedestrians and bus service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Collin |date=July 3, 2024 |title=MARTA hits pause on Five Points Station renovation plans |url=https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2024/07/03/marta-hits-pause-on-five-points-station-renovation-plans/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=Rough Draft Atlanta |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2025, MARTA announced plans to resume the renovation project in preparation for the [[2026 FIFA World Cup|2026 World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Collin |date=April 3, 2025 |title=MARTA to resume work on Five Points Station renovation project |url=https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/04/03/marta-to-resume-work-on-five-points-station-renovation-project/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=Rough Draft Atlanta |language=en-US}}</ref>

In August 2024, a city audit found that $70 million of the More MARTA capital fund intended for capital projects, had been siphoned to cover MARTA operational expenses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Josh |date=August 19, 2024 |title=City releases findings of More MARTA audit, says program owed $70M {{!}} Urbanize Atlanta |url=https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/marta-audit-city-report-finds-program-owed-70m#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20city,%20auditors,programs%20to%20cover%20operational%20expenses. |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=atlanta.urbanize.city |language=en}}</ref> The audit also found that the sales tax had raised $493 million in More MARTA funding from fiscal years 2017 to 2023, while $69 million had been spent during that time period.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Torpy |first=Bill |title=OPINION: How 'More MARTA' became 'Hardly Any MARTA' |url=https://www.ajc.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-how-more-marta-became-hardly-any-marta/TKEFIHEQFRDGJD3PWRAMICTY7E/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref> In March 2025, MARTA disputed the audit findings, citing that another audit that found MARTA owed only $865,000 to the More MARTA capital fund.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Collin |date=March 12, 2025 |title=Report: New MARTA audit disputes financial claims made by the city |url=https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/03/12/marta-audit-findings/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=Rough Draft Atlanta |language=en-US}}</ref>

==System==
{{maplink|from=MARTA rail and Atlanta Streetcar.map|text=Interactive map of the MARTA rail system and the Atlanta Streetcar}}

MARTA is composed of a heavy rail rapid transit system, a light rail system, and a bus system, all of which operate primarily within the boundaries of Fulton, Clayton and DeKalb counties. In addition to Atlanta itself, the transit agency serves various suburbs within its service area, including  [[Alpharetta, Georgia|Alpharetta]], [[Avondale Estates, Georgia|Avondale Estates]], [[Brookhaven, Georgia|Brookhaven]], [[Chamblee, Georgia|Chamblee]], [[Clarkston, Georgia|Clarkston]], [[College Park, Georgia|College Park]], [[Decatur, Georgia|Decatur]], [[Doraville, Georgia|Doraville]], [[Dunwoody, Georgia|Dunwoody]], [[East Point, Georgia|East Point]], [[Ellenwood, Georgia|Ellenwood]], [[Fairburn, Georgia|Fairburn]], [[Forest Park, Georgia|Forest Park]], [[Hapeville, Georgia|Hapeville]], [[Jonesboro, Georgia|Jonesboro]], [[Lake City, Georgia|Lake City]], [[Lovejoy, Georgia|Lovejoy]], [[Lithonia, Georgia|Lithonia]], [[Morrow, Georgia|Morrow]], [[Palmetto, Georgia|Palmetto]], [[Riverdale, Georgia|Riverdale]], [[Roswell, Georgia|Roswell]], [[Sandy Springs, Georgia|Sandy Springs]], [[Stone Mountain, Georgia|Stone Mountain]], and [[Union City, Georgia|Union City]]. MARTA also serves the [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|airport]] via a [[Airport (MARTA station)|station]] located next to the main terminal. Although Cobb County is not part of the MARTA system, the agency operates one limited bus route to the Cumberland Boulevard Transfer Center and another to Six Flags Over Georgia.

MARTA allows bicycles on its trains, and buses have room for two bicycles on racks mounted on the front of the bus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/howto/bikes.htm |title=Bikes on MARTA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711135118/http://www.itsmarta.com/howto/bikes.htm |archive-date=July 11, 2009 }}</ref> At the [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|airport]], bicycles can be locked up in all of the parking decks, so long as they are not obstructing either pedestrian or vehicular traffic.<ref>Information collected from Parking Division at (404)209-2945, Parking Operations at (404)530-67254, and Airport Police at (404)530-6800.</ref>

In 2007, MARTA had 4,729&nbsp;full and part-time employees, of whom 1,719&nbsp;were bus drivers or train operators.<ref name="2007FR">{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/about/financial/MARTA%20CAFR2007.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409023301/http://www.itsmarta.com/about/financial/MARTA%20CAFR2007.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2008 |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report |access-date=February 24, 2008 |date=June 30, 2007 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority }}</ref>  [[Mass transit|Rail and bus operator]]s, [[Station master|station agent]]s, rail maintenance workers, and many other employees of MARTA are represented in negotiations by the [[Amalgamated Transit Union]]'s Local 732.

===Subway/Metro ===
{{main|MARTA rail}}

MARTA's rapid transit system has {{convert|47.6|mi|km}} of route{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} and 38 rail stations located on four lines: the [[Red Line (MARTA)|Red Line]] (prior to October 2009, known as the North-South Line), [[Gold Line (MARTA)|Gold Line]] (former Northeast-South Line), [[Blue Line (MARTA)|Blue Line]] (former East-West Line), and [[Green Line (MARTA)|Green Line]] (former Proctor Creek Line).<ref name="06finreport" /><ref name="rail map">{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/getthere/schedules/index-rail.htm |title=MARTA - Getting There - Rail Schedules and Map |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025622/http://itsmarta.com/getthere/schedules/index-rail.htm| archive-date = September 27, 2007}}</ref> The tracks for this system are a combination of elevated, ground-level, and subway tracks.

The deepest Subway station in the MARTA system is the [[Peachtree Center (MARTA station)|Peachtree Center station]], which is located in a hard-rock tunnel, {{convert|120|ft}} beneath the city, where the highest hills in Atlanta are {{convert|1100|ft}} above [[sea level]]. No tunnel lining was installed in this station, or the adjacent tunnels. The architects and civil engineers decided to leave these with their rugged [[gneiss]] rock walls. The highest station in the MARTA system is the [[King Memorial station]]. It rises {{convert|90|feet}} over a former CSX rail yard.

MARTA switched to a color-based identification system in October 2009. Formerly, the lines were named based upon their terminal stations, namely: [[Airport (MARTA station)|Airport]], [[Doraville (MARTA station)|Doraville]], [[North Springs (MARTA station)|North Springs]], [[H.E. Holmes (MARTA station)|H. E. Holmes]], [[Bankhead (MARTA station)|Bankhead]], [[King Memorial (MARTA station)|King Memorial]], [[Edgewood/Candler Park (MARTA station)|Candler Park]], [[Indian Creek (MARTA station)|Indian Creek]]; or by their compass direction. During the transition between the two naming systems, all stations on the Red and Gold lines used their original orange signs, and all stations on the Blue and Green lines used their original blue signs.

All rapid transit lines have an ultimate [[Transport hub|nexus]] at the [[Five Points (MARTA station)|Five Points station]], located in downtown Atlanta.<ref name="rail map" /> MARTA trains are operated using the [[Automatic Train Control]] system, with one human operator per train to make announcements, operate doors, and to operate the trains manually in case of a control system malfunction or an emergency. Many of the suburban stations have free daily and paid long-term parking in [[park and ride]] lots.<ref name="rail map" /> These stations also have designated [[Park and Ride]] passenger drop-off areas close to the stations' entrances.

===Streetcar===
{{main|Atlanta Streetcar}}

The [[Atlanta Streetcar]] is a modern [[streetcar]] route that is powered by an [[overhead line]] and [[street running|operates in mixed vehicle traffic]]. The system was constructed by the City of Atlanta and was integrated into MARTA operations on July 1, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Michael |title=MARTA officially assumes operations of Atlanta Streetcar |url=https://www.11alive.com/article/traffic/marta-officially-assumes-operations-of-atlanta-streetcar/85-569604946 |access-date=July 1, 2018 |agency=11Alive |date=July 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215042444/https://www.11alive.com/article/traffic/marta-officially-assumes-operations-of-atlanta-streetcar/85-569604946 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://atlanta.curbed.com/2018/7/2/17525438/marta-streetcar-downtown-takeover-transit|title=MARTA officially takes over Atlanta Streetcar operations|date=July 2, 2018|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702191737/https://atlanta.curbed.com/2018/7/2/17525438/marta-streetcar-downtown-takeover-transit|url-status=live}}</ref> The streetcar operates on a {{convert|2.7|mile|adj=on}} pinched loop system in [[Downtown Atlanta]].

====Rolling stock====
[[File:Atlanta Streetcar.JPG|thumb|Atlanta Streetcar near the original Ebenezer Baptist Church, Sweet Auburn]]
The Atlanta Streetcar system uses [[Siemens S70]] light rail vehicles (LRVs).<ref name="LRV">{{cite web |url=http://streetcar.atlantaga.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/as-factsheet1_july2013.pdf |title=Fact Sheet |publisher=Atlanta Streetcar |date=July 2013 |access-date=July 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131081431/http://streetcar.atlantaga.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/as-factsheet1_july2013.pdf |archive-date=January 31, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>  A total of four S70 cars were purchased<ref name="TAUT-2015Feb">{{cite news|title=Atlanta meets New Year deadline: Streetcars return to the streets of Georgia after a 65-year break|work=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]]|publisher=LRTA Publishing|date=February 2015|location=UK|page=53}}</ref> and were built at two different facilities; the cars themselves were built in [[Sacramento, California]] while most other major components, like the [[propulsion system]], were assembled at a plant about {{convert|30|mi|km}} north of Atlanta, in [[Alpharetta]].<ref name="ATL Business Chron. Article">{{cite web|title=Siemens to build Atlanta streetcars|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/05/19/siemens-to-build-atlanta-streetcars.html|website=Atlanta Business Chronicle|access-date=August 2, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816165837/http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/05/19/siemens-to-build-atlanta-streetcars.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Siemens Press Release">{{cite web|title=Siemens is supplying Atlanta with the American type S70 LRT vehicles|url=http://www.siemens.com/press/en/pressrelease/?press=%2Fen%2Fpressrelease%2F2011%2Fmobility%2FIMO201105024.htm|website=Siemens.com|publisher=Siemens|access-date=August 2, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817204703/http://www.siemens.com/press/en/pressrelease/?press=%2Fen%2Fpressrelease%2F2011%2Fmobility%2FIMO201105024.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> They were delivered in the first months of 2014 and are numbered 1001–1004.<ref name="TAUT-2014Apr">{{cite news|title=Worldwide Review (regular news section)|work=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]]|publisher=LRTA Publishing|date=April 2014|location=UK|page=175}}</ref>

===Bus===
{{Main|List of MARTA bus routes}}

[[File:MARTA Xcelsior on 1 Bus IMG 1450.JPG|thumb|2013 MARTA Xcelsior 1469 on the 1 Bus leaving [[North Avenue station (MARTA)|North Avenue station]].]]
MARTA's bus system serves a wider area than the rail system, serving areas in Fulton, Clayton and DeKalb counties such as the cities of [[Roswell, Georgia|Roswell]] and [[Alpharetta]] in North Fulton, along with South DeKalb. MARTA bus service for Clayton County became effective March 21, 2015. As of 2010, MARTA has 554 diesel and [[compressed natural gas]] buses that covers over 110 bus routes that operated 25.9&nbsp;million annual vehicle miles (41.7&nbsp;million kilometers).<ref name="06finreport">{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/about/financial/FY2006%20CAFR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094545/http://www.itsmarta.com/about/financial/FY2006%20CAFR.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report |access-date=February 24, 2008 |date=June 30, 2006 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority }}</ref>  MARTA has one bus route providing limited service in Cobb County (Route 12 has been extended to Cobb County's Cumberland Boulevard Transfer Center). As of June 2016, MARTA purchased 18 New Flyer Industries Xcelsior XN60, which are primarily used on route 39 Buford Highway, the busiest bus route in the system.<ref name="cobbpr">{{cite press release
 |title=MARTA's Bus Route 12 will provide extended service to the Cumberland Mall area 
 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority 
 |date=November 20, 2006 |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/press_releases/rel.asp?id=179 
 |access-date=February 24, 2008 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025854/http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/press_releases/rel.asp?id=179 
 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/getthere/schedules/12.htm |title=Route 12 - Howell Mill |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025608/http://www.itsmarta.com/getthere/schedules/12.htm| archive-date = September 27, 2007}}</ref>  All of the MARTA bus lines, except for routes 142, 197 and 198, feed into or intersect MARTA rail lines as well. MARTA shuttle service is available to [[Six Flags Over Georgia]] during the park's summer season.

In addition to the free parking adjacent to many rail stations, MARTA also operates five [[park and ride]] lots serviced only by bus routes (Windward Parkway, Mansell Road, Stone Mountain, Barge Road, and South Fulton).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/howto/parking.htm |title=Parking Information |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070629192554/http://itsmarta.com/howto/parking.htm| archive-date = June 29, 2007}}</ref>

====Route list====

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!Route Name
!Terminal 1
!Terminal 2
!via
!Length
!Notes
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |1 Marietta Boulevard / Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard
|'''[[West End, Atlanta|West End]]'''<br />[[West End station (MARTA)|West End station]]
|'''[[Bolton, Atlanta|Bolton]]'''<br />Marietta Boulevard & Moores Mill Road <small> at Moores Mill Shopping Center </small>
|Marietta Boulevard, Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard
|{{convert|6.9|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Perry Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |2 Ponce de Leon Avenue / Druid Hills
|'''[[Midtown Atlanta|Midtown]]'''<br />[[North Avenue station (MARTA)|North Avenue station]]
|'''[[Oakhurst, Decatur, Georgia|Oakhurst]]'''<br />[[East Lake station]]
|Ponce de Leon Avenue, East Lake Road
|{{convert|4.9|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#FF8000; color:black;" |3 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive / Auburn Ave
|'''[[Old Fourth Ward]]'''<br />John Wesley Dobbs Avenue & Howell Street
|'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
|Auburn Avenue (EB), Edgewood Avenue (WB), Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
|{{convert|7|mi|km}}
|
* Operates out of Perry Bus Facility.
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |4 Moreland Avenue
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Inman Park]]/[[Reynoldstown, Atlanta|Reynoldstown]]'''<br />[[Inman Park/Reynoldstown station]]
|'''Norwood Manor'''<br />Constitution Road & Jonesboro Road
| rowspan="2" |Moreland Avenue
|{{convert|7.2|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
|'''Rebel Valley Forest'''<br />Redford Drive & Rebel Forest Drive
|{{convert|7.3|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |5 Piedmont Road / Sandy Springs
| rowspan="3" |'''[[Lindbergh, Atlanta|Lindbergh/Morosgo]]'''<br />[[Lindbergh Center station]]
|'''[[Dunwoody, Georgia|Dunwoody]]'''<br />[[Dunwoody station]]/[[Perimeter Mall]]
|Piedmont Road, Roswell Road
|{{convert|9.8|mi|km}}
|
* Operates out of Perry Bus Facility
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#008080; color:black;" |6 Clifton Road / Emory
| rowspan="2" |'''Inman Park/Reynoldstown'''<br />[[Inman Park/Reynoldstown station]]
| rowspan="2" |Clifton Road, Briarcliff Road
|{{convert|8.3|mi|km}}<br /> Lavista Road branch
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
|{{convert|8.8|mi|km}} Woodland Avenue branch
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |8 North Druid Hills Road
|'''[[Brookhaven, Georgia|Brookhaven]]'''<br />[[Brookhaven/Oglethorpe station]]
|'''[[Kensington, Georgia|Kensington]]'''<br />[[Kensington station (MARTA)|Kensington station]]
|North Druid Hills Road
|{{convert|11.3|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |9 Boulevard / Tilson Road
|'''[[Oakland, Atlanta|Oakland]]'''<br />[[King Memorial station]]
|'''[[Panthersville, Georgia|Panthersville]]'''<br />[[Gallery at South DeKalb]]
|Boulevard, Custer Avenue, Tilson Road
|{{convert|10.9|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |12 Howell Mill Road / Cumberland
| rowspan="2" |'''Midtown'''<br />[[Midtown station (MARTA)|Midtown station]]
|'''[[Cumberland, Georgia|Cumberland]]'''<br />Cumberland Transfer Center
|10th Street, Howell Mill Road
|{{convert|11.1|mi|km}}
|
* Operates out of Perry Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |14 14th Street / Blandtown
|'''Bolton'''<br />Marietta Boulevard & Moores Mill Road <small> at Moores Mill Shopping Center </small>
|14th Street, Chattahoochee Avenue, Marietta Boulevard
|{{convert|5.7|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |15 Candler Road
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Decatur, Georgia|Decatur]]'''<br />[[Decatur station]]
|'''Woodcrest'''<br />Panthersville Road & Bouldercrest Road
| rowspan="2" |Candler Road, Panthersville Road, River Road, Bouldercrest Road
|{{convert|11.6|mi|km}} 
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
|'''[[Stonecrest, Georgia|Stonecrest]]'''<br />Linecrest Road & 3800
|{{convert|11.6|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |19 Clairmont Road / Howard Avenue
|'''[[Chamblee, Georgia|Chamblee]]'''<br />[[Chamblee station]]
|'''Oakhurst'''<br />[[East Lake station]]
|Clairmont Road, Howard Avenue
|{{convert|10.9|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |21 Memorial Drive 
|'''[[Downtown Atlanta|Downtown]]'''<br />[[Georgia State station]]
|'''Kensington'''<br />[[Kensington station (MARTA)|Kensington station]]
|Memorial Drive
|{{convert|10|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |24 McAfee / Hosea Williams
|'''[[Edgewood, Atlanta|Edgewood]]/[[Candler Park]]'''<br />[[Edgewood/Candler Park station]]
|'''[[Stone Mountain, Georgia|Stone Mountain]]'''<br />[[Indian Creek station]]
|Hosea L. Williams Drive, McAfee Road, Indian Creek Drive
|{{convert|14.6|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |25 Peachtree Boulevard
|'''Brookhaven'''<br />[[Brookhaven/Oglethorpe station]]
|'''[[Doraville, Georgia|Doraville]]'''<br />[[Doraville station]]
|Peachtree (Industrial) Boulevard 
|{{convert|6.6|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#008080; color:black;" |26 Marietta Street / Perry Boulevard
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Downtown Atlanta|Downtown]]'''<br />[[Five Points station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Riverside, Atlanta|Riverside]]'''<br />Bolton Road & Parrott Avenue
| rowspan="2" |Marietta Street, Perry Boulevard
|{{convert|10.5|mi|km}} Perry Boulevard branch
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
*During special events, buses do not serve downtown and are rerouted to the North Avenue station
*Operates out of Perry Bus Facility
|-
|{{convert|11.1|mi|km}} McCallie Boulevard branch
|-
| style="background:#FF0080; color:black;" |27 Cheshire Bridge Road
|'''[[Midtown Atlanta|Midtown]]'''<br />[[Arts Center station (MARTA)|Arts Center station]]
|'''[[Lenox, Georgia|Lenox]]'''<br />[[Lenox station (MARTA)|Lenox station]]
|Piedmont Avenue, Cheshire Bridge Road (Lenox Road)
|{{convert|5.7|mi|km}} 
|
*Operates out of Perry Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |30 LaVista Road
|'''Lindbergh/Morosgo'''<br />[[Lindbergh Center station]]
|'''[[Northlake, Georgia|Northlake]]'''<br />Ranchwood Drive & Weems Road <small> at [[Northlake Mall (Atlanta)|Northlake Mall]] </small>
|Lavista Road
|{{convert|9.6|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |32 Bouldercrest
|'''Inman Park/Reynoldstown'''<br />[[Inman Park/Reynoldstown station]]
|'''[[Ellenwood, Georgia|Ellenwood]]'''<br /> SouthPark Industrial Park (S. Park Boulevard & 3060)
|Moreland Avenue, Bouldercrest Road
|{{convert|12.7|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3" style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |34 Gresham Road
| rowspan="3" |'''Oakhurst'''<br />[[East Lake station]]
| rowspan="3" |'''Decatur'''<br />[[Perimeter College at Georgia State University]]
| rowspan="3" |2nd Avenue, Gresham Road, Clifton Springs Road
|{{convert|7.6|mi|km}}
| rowspan="3" |
*Rush hour trips alternate between each branch
|-
|{{convert|8|mi|km}} Vee Kirk branch
|-
|{{convert|9.2|mi|km}} Vicki Lane branch
|-
| style="background:#A6CAF0; color:black;" |36 N Decatur Road / Virginia Highland
|'''Midtown'''<br />[[Midtown station (MARTA)|Midtown station]]
|'''Decatur'''<br />[[Decatur station]]
|Virginia Avenue, Highland Avenue, (North) Decatur Road
|{{convert|9.1|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FF80; color:black;" |37 Defoors Ferry Road
|'''Midtown'''<br />[[Arts Center station (MARTA)|Arts Center station]]
|'''Bolton'''<br />Marietta Boulevard & Moores Mill Road <small> at Moores Mill Shopping Center </small>
|17th Street, Defoor Avenue (Defoors Ferry Road)
|{{convert|6.2|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |39 Buford Highway
|'''Lindbergh/Morosgo'''<br />[[Lindbergh Center station]]
|'''Doraville'''<br />[[Doraville station]]
|Buford Highway
|{{convert|8.4|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#FFFF00; color:black;" |40 Peachtree Street / Downtown
|'''Midtown'''<br />[[Arts Center station (MARTA)|Arts Center station]]
|'''West End'''<br />[[West End station (MARTA)|West End station]]
|Peachtree Street
|{{convert|5.2|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3" style="background:#FF8000; color:black;" |42 Pryor Road
| rowspan="3" |'''Downtown'''<br />[[Five Points station]]
| rowspan="3" |'''[[Sylvan Hills, Atlanta|Sylvan Hills]]'''<br />[[Lakewood/Fort McPherson station]]
| rowspan="3" |Pryor Street (SB), Central Avenue (NB), Pryor Road, [[Arthur B. Langford Jr. Parkway]]
|{{convert|8.5|mi|km}}
| rowspan="3" |
*Trips alternate between mainline and Cooper Street branch rush hours in the peak direction.
*Trips alternate between Amal Drive and mainline weekdays.
|-
|{{convert|8.9|mi|km}} Cooper Street branch
|-
|{{convert|9|mi|km}} Amal Drive branch
|-
| style="background:#FF8080; color:black;" |47 I-85 Access Road
|'''Brookhaven'''<br />[[Brookhaven/Oglethorpe station]]
|'''Chamblee'''<br />[[Chamblee station]]
|Briarwood Road, I-85 Access Road
|{{convert|9.7|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF8040; color:black;" |49 McDonough Boulevard
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Downtown Atlanta|Downtown]]'''<br />[[Five Points station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Constitution, Georgia|Constitution]]'''<br />Metro Regional Youth Detention Center
| rowspan="2" |McDonough Boulevard, Moreland Avenue
|{{convert|7.9|mi|km}} McDonough Boulevard branch
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|{{convert|8.1|mi|km}} Englewood Avenue branch
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |50 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway
| rowspan="4" |'''Midtown'''<br />[[North Avenue station (MARTA)|North Avenue station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Bankhead, Atlanta|Bankhead]]'''<br />UPS Distribution Center
| rowspan="2" |North Avenue, Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway
|{{convert|7.8|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
*Operates out of Perry Bus Facility
|-
|{{convert|8.2|mi|km}} English Avenue branch
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |51 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard
| rowspan="2" |'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
| rowspan="2" |Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, Hamilton E. Holmes Drive
|{{convert|6.6|mi|km}} Luckie Street branch
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
*During special events, trips run via Northside Drive & North Avenue
|-
|{{convert|6.6|mi|km}} Centennial Olympic Park Drive branch
|-
| style="background:#FF8000; color:black;" |55 Jonesboro Road
|'''[[Downtown Atlanta|Downtown]]'''<br />[[Five Points station]]
|'''[[Forest Park, Georgia|Forest Park]]'''<br />Forest Parkway & Bartlett Drive <small> at Forest Square Shopping Center</small>
|Hank Aaron Drive, Jonesboro Road
|{{convert|13.1|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#A6CAF0; color:black;" |58 Hollywood Road / Lucile Avenue
| rowspan="2" |'''West End'''<br />[[West End station (MARTA)|West End station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Riverside'''<br />James Jackson Parkway & Bolton Road
| rowspan="2" |Lucile Avenue, West Lake Avenue, Hollywood Road
|{{convert|9.1|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Select trips run on Argyle Drive branch during peak rush hours.
|-
|{{convert|9.6|mi|km}} Argyle Drive branch
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |60 Hightower Road
| rowspan="2" |'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
|'''Bolton'''<br />Marietta Boulevard & Moores Mill Road <small> at Moores Mill Shopping Center</small>
|Hamilton E. Holmes Drive (Hightower Road), Hollywood Road, Bolton Road
|{{convert|6.7|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |66 Lynhurst Drive / Princeton Lakes
|'''Princeton Lakes'''<br />North Commerce Drive & Marketplace Boulevard
|Lynhurst Drive
|{{convert|13.3|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF0000; color:black;" |68 Benjamin E Mays Drive
|'''[[English Avenue and Vine City|Vine City]]'''<br />[[Ashby station (MARTA)|Ashby station]]
|'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
|Beecher Road, Benjamin E Mays Drive
|{{convert|11.9|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF8080; color:black;" |71 Cascade Road
| rowspan="2" |'''West End'''<br />[[West End station (MARTA)|West End station]]
|'''Ashley Courts'''<br />Kimberly Road & Fairly Way
| rowspan="2" |Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, Cascade Road
|{{convert|7.2|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|'''[[South Fulton, Georgia|South Fulton]]'''<br />Boat Rock Road & Reynolds Road
|{{convert|11.7|mi|km}}
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#008000; color:black;" |73 Fulton Industrial
| rowspan="2" |'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
|'''West Atlanta'''<br />West Park Place & Westpark Drive
| rowspan="2" |Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Fulton Industrial Boulevard
|{{convert|9.2|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch

|-
|'''West Atlanta'''<br />LaGrange Boulevard & Boat Rock Road
|{{convert|10.2|mi|km}}
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF8000; color:black;" |74 Flat Shoals Road
| rowspan="2" |'''Inman Park/Reynoldstown'''<br />[[Inman Park/Reynoldstown station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Panthersville'''<br />Rainbow Way & Candler Road 
| rowspan="2" |Moreland Avenue, Flat Shoals Road
|{{convert|8.2|mi|km}} Bull Run Drive branch
| rowspan="2" |
* Trips alternate between each branch. 
|-
|{{convert|8.5|mi|km}} Whites Mill Road branch
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |75 Lawrenceville Highway 
|'''[[Avondale Estates, Georgia|Avondale Estates]]'''<br />[[Avondale station (MARTA)|Avondale Station]]
|'''[[Tucker, Georgia|Tucker]]'''<br />Tuckerstone Parkway & Mountain Industrial Boulevard
|Dekalb Industrial Way, [[Lawrenceville Highway]]
|{{convert|10.8|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |78 Cleveland Avenue
|'''[[East Point, Georgia|East Point]]'''<br />[[East Point station]]
|'''Browns Mill Park/Rosedale Heights'''<br />Cleveland Avenue & Jonesboro Road
|Cleveland Avenue
|{{convert|5.7|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF8000; color:black;" |79 Sylvan Hills
|'''[[Oakland City, Atlanta|Oakland City]]'''<br />[[Oakland City station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''East Point'''<br />[[East Point station]]
|Sylvan Road, Springdale Road, Cleveland Avenue
|{{convert|7.8|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |81 Venetian Hills / Delowe Drive
|'''West End'''<br />[[West End station (MARTA)|West End station]]
|Delowe Drive, Headland Drive
|{{convert|13.6|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |82 Camp Creek / South Fulton Parkway
|'''[[College Park, Georgia|College Park]]'''<br />[[College Park station (MARTA)|College Park station]]
|'''[[Union City, Georgia|Union City]]'''<br />Derrick Industrial Parkway & Derrick Industrial Drive (Walmart Distribution Center)
|[[Camp Creek Parkway]], Welcome All Road, [[South Fulton Parkway]]
|{{convert|15.4|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |83 Campbellton Road
|'''Oakland City'''<br />[[Oakland City station]]
|'''Ben Hill Acres'''<br />Barge Road Park & Ride
|Campbellton Road, Greenbriar Parkway
|{{convert|6.3|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Operates out of Hamilton Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |84 Washington Road / Camp Creek Marketplace
|'''East Point'''<br />[[East Point station]]
|'''Princeton Lakes'''<br />Camp Creek Marketplace (Centre Parkway & 1800)
|Washington Road, North Commerce Drive
|{{convert|8.7|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |85 Roswell
|'''[[Sandy Springs, Georgia|Sandy Springs]]'''<br />[[North Springs station]]
|'''[[Alpharetta, Georgia|Alpharetta]]'''<br />Mansell Park & Ride
|Turner McDonald Parkway, Atlanta Street (Alpharetta Street), Mansell Road
|{{convert|10.3|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#A6CAF0; color:black;" |86 Fairington Road
| rowspan="2" |'''Kensington'''<br />[[Kensington station (MARTA)|Kensington station]]
|'''Stonecrest'''<br />Hillandale Drive & Hillandale Park Drive
| rowspan="2" |Snapfinger Road (Snapfinger Woods Drive), Fairington Road
|{{convert|12|mi|km}}
|
*Early morning and alternate AM rush hour trips
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
|'''Stonecrest'''<br />[[The Mall at Stonecrest]]
|{{convert|16.2|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |87 Roswell Road / Sandy Springs
|'''Dunwoody'''<br />[[Dunwoody station]]/[[Perimeter Mall]]
|'''Sandy Springs'''<br />[[East Point station]]
|Hammond Drive, Roswell Drive, Turner McDonald Parkway
|{{convert|12.5|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF8040; color:black;" |89 Old National Highway
| rowspan="3" |'''College Park'''<br />[[College Park station (MARTA)|College Park station]]
|'''Union City'''<br />Lancaster Lane & Shannon Parkway ([[Atlanta Metro Studios]])
| rowspan="2" |Old National Highway, Jonesboro Road
|{{convert|13|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
*Operates out of Hamilton Bus Facility
|-
|'''[[Riverdale, Georgia|Riverdale]]'''<br />Riverdale Park & Ride
|{{convert|13.5|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |93 Headland Drive / Main Street
|'''Brentwood/Greenbriar'''<br />Camp Creek Parkway & 3540 (Royal Oaks Apartments)
|Main Street, Headland Drive
|{{convert|9.2|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |94 Northside Drive
| rowspan="2" |'''West End'''<br />[[West End station (MARTA)|West End station]]
|'''Midtown'''<br />[[Arts Center station (MARTA)|Arts Center station]]
|Northside Drive, 17th Street
|{{convert|6.4|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF0000; color:black;" |95 Metropolitan Parkway
|'''[[Hapeville, Georgia|Hapeville]]'''<br />King Arnold Street & Claire Drive
|Metropolitan Parkway
|{{convert|7.1|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |102 North Avenue / Little Five Points
|'''Midtown'''<br />[[North Avenue station (MARTA)|North Avenue station]]
|'''Edgewood/Candler Park'''<br />Edgewood/Candler Park station
|North Avenue, Ponce de Leon Avenue, Moreland Avenue
|{{convert|4.3|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |103 Peeler Road
|'''Chamblee'''<br />[[Chamblee station]]
|'''[[Peachtree Corners, Georgia|Peachtree Corners]]'''<br />Winters Chapel Road & 4830 (DeKalb County Water Works & Scott Candler Filter Plant)
|Shallowford Road, Peeler Road
|{{convert|7.2|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |104 Winters Chapel Road
|'''Doraville'''<br />[[Doraville station]]
|'''North Doraville'''<br />Winters Chapel Road & Clarke Drive (Consulate of El Salvador & Consulate of Honduras)
|New Peachtree Road, Winters Chapel Road, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
|{{convert|4.4|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |107 Glenwood
|'''Downtown'''<br />[[Georgia State station]]
|'''Stone Mountain'''<br />[[Indian Creek station]]
|Memorial Drive, Glenwood Avenue (Glenwood Road)
|{{convert|13.5|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#FF8040; color:black;" |110 Peachtree Road / Buckhead
|'''Midtown'''<br />[[Arts Center station (MARTA)|Arts Center station]]
|'''Brookhaven'''<br />[[Brookhaven/Oglethorpe station]]
|Peachtree Street (Peachtree Road)
|{{convert|7.2|mi|km}}
|
*Operates out of Perry Bus Facility
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#008000; color:black;" |111 Snapfinger Woods
| rowspan="2" |'''Stone Mountain'''<br />[[Indian Creek station]]
|'''Stonecrest'''<br />Hillandale Drive & Hillandale Park Drive
|Redan Road, South Hairston Road, Snapfinger Woods Drive, Hillandale Drive
|{{convert|13.3|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Select trips serve Alice Williams Towers
*AM Rush hour trips alternate between each terminal, otherwise, all trips go to/from Mall at Stonecrest
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
|'''Stonecrest'''<br />The Mall at Stonecrest
|Redan Road, South Hairston Road, Snapfinger Woods Drive, Hillandale Drive, Covington Highway
|{{convert|18.5|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#FF8040; color:black;" |114 Columbia Drive
|'''Avondale Estates'''<br />[[Avondale station (MARTA)|Avondale Station]]
|'''Decatur'''<br />Perimeter College at Georgia State University
|Columbia Drive
|{{convert|8.4|mi|km}}
|
*Northbound trips serve Clifton Springs Health Center
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |115 Covington Highway
| rowspan="2" |'''Kensington'''<br />[[Kensington station (MARTA)|Kensington station]]
|'''Stonecrest'''<br />Covington Highway & Chupp Road
| rowspan="2" |Covington Highway
|{{convert|10|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*AM rush hour trips alternate between each terminal. Otherwise, all trips go to/from Mall at Stonecrest
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''Stonecrest'''<br />The Mall at Stonecrest
|{{convert|13.4|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |116 Redan Road
|'''Stone Mountain'''<br />[[Indian Creek station]]
|Redan Road, Stone Mountain Lithonia Road
|{{convert|12|mi|km}}
|
*On weekdays between 8:50 AM and 4:50 PM, northbound trips serve East DeKalb Health Center
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |117 Rockbridge Road / Panola Road
|'''Avondale Estates'''<br />[[Avondale station (MARTA)|Avondale Station]]
|'''Stonecrest'''<br />XPRESS Panola Park & Ride
|North Decatur Road (Rockbridge Road), Panola Road
|{{convert|15|mi|km}}
|
*Weekday trips serve Lou Walker Senior Center
*Northbound trips serve Fairington Club Drive
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
| style="background:#008080; color:black;" |119 Hairston Road / Stone Mountain Village
|'''Kensington'''<br />[[Kensington station (MARTA)|Kensington station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Stone Mountain'''<br />Goldsmith Park & Ride
|Redan Road, Hairston Road
|{{convert|10.8|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |120 East Ponce de Leon Avenue
|'''Avondale Estates'''<br />[[Avondale station (MARTA)|Avondale Station]]
|Ponce de Leon Avenue
|{{convert|8.8|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |121 Memorial Drive / North Hairston Road
| rowspan="2" |'''Kensington'''<br />[[Kensington station (MARTA)|Kensington station]]
|'''Tucker'''<br />North Royal Atlanta Drive & Commerce Place
|Memorial Drive, North Hairston Road (Mountain Industrial Boulevard)
|{{convert|10.1|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
|'''Tucker'''<br />Granite Drive & Patillo Field
|Memorial Drive, North Hairston Road, Idlewood Road
|{{convert|10.4|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |123 Church Street
|'''Decatur'''<br />[[Decatur station]]
|'''[[North Decatur, Georgia|North Decatur]]'''<br />[[North DeKalb Mall]]
|Church Street
|{{convert|4.8|mi|km}}
|
*Northbound trips serve Emory Decatur Hospital via Sycamore Road, Southbound trips serve the hospital via Wash Lively Circle
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |124 Pleasantdale Road
| rowspan="2" |'''Doraville'''<br />[[Doraville station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Tucker'''<br />Lawrenceville Highway & Hugh Howell Road
| rowspan="2" |Buford Highway, Oakcliff Road, Pleasantdale Road (Chamblee Tucker Road)
|{{convert|8.3|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|{{convert|9.2|mi|km}} Dawson Boulevard branch
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#008000; color:black;" |125 Clarkston
| rowspan="2" |'''Kensington'''<br />[[Kensington station (MARTA)|Kensington station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Northlake'''<br />Briarcliff Road & Randolph Road <small> at Northlake Mall </small>
|Indian Creek Drive (Montreal Road)
|{{convert|7.8|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|Indian Creek Drive, Northlake Parkway
|{{convert|8.7|mi|km}}
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#008000; color:black;" |126 Embry Hills
| rowspan="2" |'''Chamblee'''<br />[[Chamblee station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Northlake, Georgia|Northlake]]'''<br />Ranchwood Drive & Weems Road <small> at Northlake Mall </small>
| rowspan="2" |Chamblee Tucker Road, Henderson Mill Road
|{{convert|8.1|mi|km}}
|
|-
|{{convert|10.9|mi|km}}
|
*Select weekday trips via [[Mercer University|Mercer University Atlanta]]
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |132 Tilly Mill Road
|'''Chamblee'''<br />[[Chamblee station]]
|'''Dunwoody'''<br />Mount Vernon Road & Jett Ferry Road
|North Peachtree Road, Tilly Mill Road
|{{convert|6|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FFFF00; color:black;" |133 Shallowford Road
|'''Doraville'''<br />[[Doraville station]]
|'''[[Northlake, Georgia|Northlake]]'''<br />Ranchwood Drive & Weems Road <small> at Northlake Mall </small>
|Shallowford Road, Briarcliff Road
|{{convert|5.9|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF8000; color:black;" |140 North Point Parkway
| rowspan="3" |'''Sandy Springs'''<br />[[North Springs station]]
| rowspan="3" |'''Alpharetta'''<br />Windward Park & Ride
|Turner McDonald Parkway, North Point Parkway
|{{convert|13.3|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |141 Haynes Bridge Road / Milton
|Turner McDonald Parkway, Haynes Bridge Road, North Main Street, Windward Parkway
|{{convert|15.4|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|Turner McDonald Parkway, Haynes Bridge Road, North Main Street, Deerfield Parkway
|{{convert|17.5|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |142 East Holcomb Bridge Road
|'''Alpharetta'''<br />Mansell Park & Ride
|'''[[Norcross, Georgia|Norcross]]'''<br />Spalding Drive & 7708 (Spalding Corners)
|Turner McDonald Parkway, Holcomb Bridge Road
|{{convert|7.1|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |143 Windward Park & Ride
|'''Sandy Springs'''<br />[[North Springs station]]
|'''Alpharetta'''<br />Windward Park & Ride
|Turner McDonald Parkway, Morris Road (McGinnis Ferry Road)
|{{convert|16.8|mi|km}}
|
*Weekday peak only
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |148 Mount Vernon Highway
|'''Sandy Springs'''<br />[[Sandy Springs station]]
|'''West Sandy Springs'''<br />Riveredge Parkway & 1600
|Mount Vernon Highway, Powers Ferry Road
|{{convert|7.2|mi|km}}
|
*Weekday peak only
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |150 Dunwoody Village
|'''Dunwoody'''<br />[[Dunwoody station]]/[[Perimeter Mall]]
|'''North Dunwoody'''<br />Chamblee Dunwoody Road & Dunwoody Village Parkway
|Perimeter Center, Ashford Dunwoody Road
|{{convert|4.4|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF8000; color:black;" |153 James Jackson Parkway
|'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
|'''Riverside'''<br />James Jackson Parkway & James Jackson Court
|Hamilton E. Holmes Drive (James Jackson Parkway), Northwest Drive (NB)
|{{convert|5.1|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |155 Pittsburgh
| rowspan="2" |'''West End'''<br />[[West End station (MARTA)|West End station]]
|'''Swallow Circle-Baywood'''<br />Swallow Circle & Finch Drive
|McDaniel Street, Lakewood Avenue, Harper Road
|{{convert|6.5|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|'''Polar Rock'''<br />Polar Rock Terrace & Polar Rock Road
|McDaniel Street, Lakewood Avenue
|{{convert|7.5|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#008080; color:black;" |162 Myrtle Drive / Alison Court
|'''Oakland City'''<br />[[Oakland City station]]
|'''Campbellton Road'''<br />Myrtle Drive & 1881 (Campbellton Plaza & Baptist Towers)
|Campbellton Road, Stanton Road
|{{convert|3.6|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |165 Fairburn Road
|'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
|'''Ben Hill Acres'''<br />Barge Road Park & Ride
|Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Fairburn Road
|{{convert|7.7|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF8040; color:black;" |172 Sylvan Road / Virginia Avenue
|'''Oakland City'''<br />[[Oakland City station]]
|'''College Park'''<br />[[College Park station (MARTA)|College Park station]]
|Sylvan Road, Virginia Avenue
|{{convert|9.3|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |178 Empire Boulevard / Southside Industrial Park
|'''Sylvan Hills'''<br />[[Lakewood/Fort McPherson station]]
|'''Glenrose Heights'''<br />Hamilton Boulevard & 3400 (Hamilton Bus Facility)
|Arthur B. Langford Parkway, Macon Drive, Browns Mill Road (SB), Empire Boulevard (NB)
|{{convert|8.1|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |180 Roosevelt Highway
|'''College Park'''<br />[[College Park station (MARTA)|College Park station]]
|'''[[Palmetto, Georgia|Palmetto]]'''<br />Main Street & Toombs Street
|[[U.S. Route 29 in Georgia|Roosevelt Highway]]
|{{convert|17.4|mi|km}}
|
*Select trips serve [[Georgia Military College]]
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF8040; color:black;" |181 Washington Road / Fairburn
| rowspan="2" |'''East Point'''<br />[[East Point station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Fairburn, Georgia|Fairburn]]'''<br />Smith Street & Broad Street
| rowspan="2" |Washington Road, Buffington Road
|{{convert|16.1|mi|km}} Shannon Parkway branch
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|{{convert|16.2|mi|km}} Oakley Road branch
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |183 Greenbriar
|'''Sylvan Hills'''<br />[[Lakewood/Fort McPherson station]]
|'''Arlington Estates/Elmco Estates'''<br />County Line Road & Campbellton Road
|Arthur B. Langford Parkway, Greenbriar Parkway, Campbellton Road
|{{convert|8|mi|km}} (detour)
|
*On detour from Niskey Lake and County Line Roads until further notice
|-
| style="background:#FF8000; color:black;" |185 Alpharetta
|'''Sandy Springs'''<br />[[North Springs station]]
|'''Alpharetta'''<br />Old Milton Parkway & Park Bridge Parkway (Georgia State University Alpharetta)
|Turner McDonald Parkway, Alpharetta Highway, Old Milton Parkway
|{{convert|15.5|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |186 Rainbow Drive / South DeKalb
| rowspan="2" |'''Downtown'''<br />[[Five Points station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Decatur'''<br />New Snapfinger Woods Drive & 4325 ([[Georgia Piedmont Technical College|Georgia Piedmont Technical College South DeKalb]])
| rowspan="2" |[[Ralph David Abernathy Freeway]], Rainbow Drive
|{{convert|14.2|mi|km}} 
| rowspan="2" |
*Select trips alternate between each branch
|-
|{{convert|14.8|mi|km}} East Side Drive branch
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |188 Oakley Industrial
| rowspan="3" |'''College Park'''<br />[[College Park station (MARTA)|College Park station]]
|'''Fairburn'''<br />Fairburn Park & Ride
|[[Interstate 85 in Georgia|Interstate 85]], Oakley Industrial Boulevard
|{{convert|19.8|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |189 Flat Shoals Road / Scofield Road
| rowspan="2" |'''South Fulton'''<br />Union City Park & Ride
| rowspan="2" |Old National Highway, Scofield Road, Flat Shoals Road
|{{convert|10.5|mi|km}} Hillandale Drive branch
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|{{convert|11.7|mi|km}} Kimberly Mill Road branch
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |191 Riverdale / ATL International Terminal [[File:Airplane silhouette white.svg|15px]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Sylvan Hills'''<br />[[Lakewood/Fort McPherson station]]
| rowspan="5" |'''[[Jonesboro, Georgia|Jonesboro]]'''<br />Harold R. Banke Justice Center
|[[Interstate 75 in Georgia|Interstate 75]], Highway 85, Highway 138
|{{convert|24.4|mi|km}} 
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|Interstate 75, Highway 85, Flint River Road
|{{convert|25.8|mi|km}} 
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |192 Old Dixie / Tara Boulevard
| rowspan="3" |'''East Point'''<br />[[East Point station]]
|Perry J. Hudson Parkway, Old Dixie Highway/Road (Tara Boulevard)
|{{convert|15|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#008080; color:black;" |193 Morrow / Jonesboro
|Forest Parkway, Jonesboro Road
|{{convert|18.1|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Trips alternate between each branch
|-
|Forest Parkway, Battle Creek Road, Tara Boulevard
|{{convert|19.7|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |194 Conley Road / Mount Zion
|'''Sylvan Hills'''<br />[[Lakewood/Fort McPherson station]]
|'''[[Morrow, Georgia|Morrow]]'''<br />[[Southlake Mall (Atlanta)|Southlake Mall]]
|Interstate 75, Conley Road, Mount Zion Boulevard/Road
|{{convert|19.4|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |195 Forest Parkway
| rowspan="3" |'''College Park'''<br />[[College Park station (MARTA)|College Park station]]
|'''Ellenwood'''<br />Anvil Block Road & Lunsford Drive
|Forest Parkway
|{{convert|16.3|mi|km}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |196 Upper Riverdale
|'''Riverdale'''<br />Lamar Hucheson Parkway & Valley Hill Road
|Riverdale Road, Highway 85
|{{convert|10.3|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*AM Rush hour trips alternate between each terminal, otherwise, all trips go to/from Southlake Mall
*Operates out of Laredo Bus Facility
|-
|'''Morrow'''<br />Southlake Mall
|Riverdale Road, Highway 85, Upper Riverdale Road, Mount Zion Road
|{{convert|14.6|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |197 Battle Creek Road
| rowspan="2" |'''Riverdale'''<br />Church Street & Town Center Drive (Riverdale Town Center)
|'''[[Stockbridge, Georgia|Stockbridge]]'''<br />Davidson Parkway & Davidson Circle
|Valley Hill Road (Battle Creek Road), Mount Zion Road/Parkway
|{{convert|12.6|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |198 Southlake Parkway
|'''Morrow'''<br />Southlake Mall
|Highway 138, Southlake Parkway
|{{convert|8.1|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |221 Memorial Drive Limited
|'''Kensington'''<br />[[Kensington station (MARTA)|Kensington station]]
|'''Stone Mountain'''<br />Juliette Road & 1551
|Memorial Drive
|{{convert|7.6|mi|km}}
|
*No weekend service
|-
| style="background:#008000; color:black;" |295 Metropolitan Campus Express
|'''Oakland City'''<br />[[Oakland City station]]
|'''Sylvan Hills'''<br />[[Atlanta Metropolitan State College|Atlanta Metro State College]]
|Dill Avenue, Metropolitan Parkway, Caspian Street
|{{convert|2.5|mi|km}}
|
*Operates whenever school is in session.
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |800 Lovejoy
| colspan="2" |'''Jonesboro'''<br />Harold R. Banke Justice Center
|Tara Boulevard, McDonough Road, Lovejoy Road
|{{convert|16.1|mi|km}}
|
*Community Circulator
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF0000; color:black;" |809 Monroe Drive / Boulevard
| rowspan="2" |'''Lindbergh/Morosgo'''<br />[[Lindbergh Center station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Oakland'''<br />[[King Memorial station]]
| rowspan="2" |Monroe Drive (Boulevard)
|{{convert|5.9|mi|km}}
|
|-
|{{convert|8.1|mi|km}} Armour Drive branch
|Select trips
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |813 Atlanta University Center
|'''Downtown'''<br />[[Georgia State station]]
|'''Penelope Neighbors'''<br />[[West Lake station (MARTA)|West Lake station]]
|Peters Street, Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard (Fair Street), Westview Drive
|{{convert|5|mi|km}}
|
*Community Circulator
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |816 North Highland Avenue
|'''Downtown'''<br />[[Five Points station]]
|'''[[Druid Hills, Georgia|Druid Hills]]'''<br />Michael Street & Houston Mill Road (Emory University)
|Ralph McGill Boulevard, North Highland Avenue
|{{convert|7.7|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |823 Belvedere
|'''Decatur'''<br />[[Decatur station]]
|'''[[Belvedere Park, Georgia|Belvedere Park]]'''<br />Belvedere Lane & Rupert Road
|McDonough Street, Memorial Drive
|{{convert|4.6|mi|km}}
|
*Community Circulator
|-
| style="background:#FF0000; color:black;" |825 Johnson Ferry Road
|'''Sandy Springs'''<br />[[Medical Center station (MARTA)|Medical Center station]]
|'''Chamblee'''<br />[[Chamblee station]]
|Johnson Ferry Road
|{{convert|4|mi|km}}
|
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |832 Grant Park
|'''West End'''<br />[[West End station (MARTA)|West End station]]
|'''Custer/McDonough/Grice'''<br />Woodland Avenue & Custer Avenue
|Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard (Georgia Avenue), United Avenue
|{{convert|6.5|mi|km}}
|
*Community Circulator
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |850 Carroll Heights / Fairburn Heights
| rowspan="2" |'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Northwest Atlanta'''<br />Atlanta Industrial Parkway & 3755 (Atlanta Industrial Park)
|Collier Drive, Fairburn Road, Atlanta Industrial Parkway
|{{convert|5.7|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |
*Select trips alternate between each branch
*Community Circulator
|-
|Collier Drive, Bolton Road, Atlanta Industrial Parkway
|{{convert|7.1|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#A6CAF0; color:black;" |853 Center Hill
|'''Penelope Neighbors'''<br />[[West Lake station (MARTA)|West Lake station]]
|'''[[Collier Heights]]'''<br />Skipper Drive & Skipper Place
|North Avenue (Baker Road), Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway
|{{convert|8|mi|km}}
| rowspan="5" |
*Community Circulator
|-
| style="background:#FF8040; color:black;" |856 Baker Hills / Wilson Hills Meadows
| rowspan="2" |'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
|'''Wilson Hills Meadows'''<br />Alex Drive & Alex Way
|Burton Road, Collier Drive
|{{convert|5.6|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#00FF00; color:black;" |865 Boulder Park Drive
|'''Ridgecrest Forest'''<br />Dollar Mill Road & Boulder Park Drive
|Burton Road, Delmar Lane, Boulder Park Drive
|{{convert|5.4|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#00FFFF; color:black;" |867 Peyton Forest / Dixie Hills
|'''Penelope Neighbors'''<br />[[West Lake station (MARTA)|West Lake station]]
|'''Harland Terrace'''<br />[[Hamilton E. Holmes station]]
|Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
|{{convert|6.9|mi|km}}
|-
| style="background:#FF00FF; color:black;" |899 Old Fourth Ward
|'''Downtown'''<br />[[Georgia State station]]
|'''Midtown'''<br />[[North Avenue station (MARTA)|North Avenue station]]
|Jackson Street, North Avenue
|{{convert|4|mi|km}}
|-
|}

===Paratransit===
In compliance with the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|Americans with Disabilities Act]] (ADA), MARTA provides the Mobility [[paratransit]] service for those persons defined as disabled by the ADA. MARTA uses 211 special [[wheelchair lift|lift]]-equipped vehicles for this service,<ref name="06finreport" /> and can either deliver passengers to their final destination (curb-to-curb service) or can deliver the passenger to the closest accessible bus stop or rail station (feeder service). Mobility is limited to existing rail and bus routes and cannot extend more than a {{convert|0.75|mi|km|1|adj=on}} radius from any existing route. Mobility service is only provided during the hours of the fixed route servicing the area. An application for acceptance into the Mobility service is required; reservations are required for each trip. In fiscal year 2006, MARTA provided 289,258 Mobility trips.<ref name="06anrep">{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/about/annualreport/2006%20Annual%20Report(tabs).pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615062214/http://www.itsmarta.com/about/annualreport/2006%20Annual%20Report%28tabs%29.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2007 |title=Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Report |access-date=February 24, 2008 |date=June 30, 2006 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority }}</ref>

The average cost to MARTA for providing a one-way trip for an individual Mobility passenger is US$31.88.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gcdd.org/home/Plan/The%20GCDD%205%20Year%20Strategic%20Plan.rtf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224203418/http://gcdd.org/home/Plan/The%20GCDD%205%20Year%20Strategic%20Plan.rtf |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 24, 2007 |title=Georgia Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Five Year Strategic Plan |access-date=February 24, 2008 |format=RTF |publisher=Georgia Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities }}</ref> This is much greater than the US$4.00 fare the Mobility rider is required to pay. The Americans with Disabilities Act forbids MARTA from charging a Mobility fare more than twice the normal fixed route fare.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fta.dot.gov/printer_friendly/civil_rights_3906.html |title=Part 37—Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities |access-date=February 24, 2008 |date=October 1, 2005 |publisher=Federal Transit Administration |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917134240/http://www.fta.dot.gov/printer_friendly/civil_rights_3906.html |archive-date=September 17, 2008 }} Sec. 37.131 (c) Service criteria for complementary Mobility.</ref>

A 2001 federal [[Civil law (common law)|civil lawsuit]], ''Martin v. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority'', was brought by several disabled riders who alleged MARTA was violating the ADA by failing to provide: bus schedule and route information in an accessible format, buses with working wheelchair lifts, stop announcements on rail and bus routes, and adequate staff to schedule and provide on-time Mobility service. The district court ruled in 2002 that MARTA had violated the ADA and granted the plaintiffs an injunction requiring MARTA to improve service to the disabled.<ref>[http://www.gand.uscourts.gov/documents/1001cv3255TWTinj.pdf Martin v Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Administration] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404123228/http://www.gand.uscourts.gov/documents/1001cv3255TWTinj.pdf |date=April 4, 2015 }}, No. 1:01-CV-3255-TWT (United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division). Retrieved on February 24, 2008.</ref>

==Fare structure and operation==
[[File:Marta token.jpg|thumb|A MARTA single one-way fare token; tokens have since been replaced by the [[Breeze Card]]]]
Currently, the one-way full fare for MARTA costs US$2.50. New Breeze cards are $2. Breeze Tickets carry an extra fee of $1. Passengers [[senior citizen|over 65]], passengers with disabilities and [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] recipients are eligible to receive a discounted fare of $1. A one-way paratransit fare is $4. Ten full fare one-way trips can be purchased for $25, and twenty full fare trips can be purchased at a discount for $42.50. MARTA also offers unlimited travel through multiple [[transit pass]] options: 24-Hour pass $9, 2-day pass $14, 3-day pass $16, 4-day pass $19, 7-day pass $23.75, and a 30-day pass for $95. Additional discounted pass programs allow for university students and staff to purchase calendar monthly passes. Additional discounts are available to corporate partners who sell monthly MARTA passes to employees and also to groups and conventions visiting Atlanta. Some employers (at their own expense) also provide reduced cost or free MARTA passes to employees to encourage the use of public transportation. Children up to {{convert|46|in|cm}} can ride for free with fare-paying rider; limit is 2.

Free shuttles also operate within the MARTA area, but are not part of MARTA.  The [[Buckhead Uptown Connection]]  (The BUC) goes around [[Buckhead (Atlanta)|Buckhead]], Atlanta's uptown section and its third major business district behind downtown and midtown.  This includes [[Lenox Square]] mall and the many [[high-rise]]s and skyscrapers built along [[Peachtree Street|Peachtree Road]]. The Atlantic Station Shuttle offers service between the Arts Center MARTA Station and the [[Atlantic Station, Atlanta|Atlantic Station]] neighborhood of Midtown. [[Georgia Tech]] operates "Stinger" buses between central campus, Technology Square, and the Midtown MARTA Station. Emory University operates [http://transportation.emory.edu/transportation/cliff/index.html "The Cliff" shuttle buses] in and around its campus. The [https://web.archive.org/web/20140106105236/http://www.cctma.com/ Clifton Corridor Transportation Management Association (CCTMA)] operates a shuttle connecting Emory with downtown [[Decatur, Georgia|Decatur]] and the [[Decatur (MARTA station)|Decatur MARTA station]].

Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 outbreak]], in March 2020 MARTA introduced free fares to bus rides, which ended early September 2020. The free fare modification did not apply to rail fares.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itsmarta.com/MARTA-service-modifications.aspx|title=MARTA|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311183733/https://www.itsmarta.com/MARTA-service-modifications.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Breeze Card===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Happymartacards.JPG|thumb|Examples of MARTA Transcards (monthly and weekly), limited-use Breeze Ticket, and extended-use Breeze&nbsp;Card]] -->
{{Main|Breeze Card}}

MARTA finished implementing the "Breeze" [[smart card]] [[electronic fare collection]] system in September 2006, replacing the previous token-based fare collection system. The new Breeze Card allows riders to load money on the card for use over time, and to add unlimited day passes that are not fixed to a calendar period. The Breeze Card is for every passenger riding MARTA. The new Breeze fare gates are designed to help prevent [[fare evasion]]; with the older fare collection system fare evasion was much easier and was estimated to cost MARTA $10&nbsp;million per year.<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Donsky |title=MARTA Plugs Gap in New Station Gates|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |page=4B |date=February 22, 2006}}</ref> Other connecting transit systems such as [[Georgia Regional Transportation Authority|GRTA Xpress]] and [[CobbLinc]] also use the Breeze system.

MARTA stopped selling tokens after the Breeze conversion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.breezecard.com/htm/faqs.html |title=Frequently Asked Questions |access-date=February 25, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312120853/http://www.breezecard.com/htm/faqs.html |archive-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> Cards (without fare) were sent by mail for free to those who requested them when the system was first implemented.

To protect against hacking problems experienced by the then-current Breeze Card, MARTA rolled out a new Breeze Card in January 2016.  The new card costs $2.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shamma|first1=Tasnim|title=MARTA Breeze Cards Will Double In Price Starting January|url=http://wabe.org/post/marta-breeze-cards-will-double-price-starting-january|access-date=September 20, 2015|work=WABE|date=August 19, 2015|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906205125/http://wabe.org/post/marta-breeze-cards-will-double-price-starting-january|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Hours of operation===
[[File:MARTA - N3 Station.jpg|thumb|MARTA train at [[North Avenue (MARTA station)|North Avenue station]]]]
[[File:CQ310 switching tracks.jpg|thumb|CQ310 switching tracks heading southbound from [[Lakewood/Fort McPherson station|Lakewood station]]]]
MARTA operates every day. Rail service is provided from approximately 4:45&nbsp;am to 1:00&nbsp;am, Monday to Friday, and 6:00&nbsp;am to 1:00&nbsp;am on Saturday, Sunday & most holidays. During certain events (New Year's Eve) trains run until 2:00&nbsp;a.m. (Trains also run all night during winter storms, though not in passenger service, to prevent ice from forming on non-underground lines.) On weekdays, trains run every 20&nbsp;minutes on all rail lines from the beginning of service until 6:00&nbsp;am. From 6:00&nbsp;am-9:00&nbsp;am and 3:00&nbsp;pm-7:00&nbsp;pm, trains run every 10&nbsp;minutes on all rail lines. From 9:00&nbsp;am-3:00&nbsp;pm and 7:00&nbsp;pm-8:30&nbsp;pm, trains run every 12&nbsp;minutes on all rail lines. From 8:30&nbsp;pm until the end of service, trains run every 20&nbsp;minutes on all rail lines. MARTA's Red Line rail service only operates between North Springs and Lindbergh Center stations after 8:30&nbsp;pm. MARTA's Green Line rail service only operates between Bankhead and Vine City stations after 8:30&nbsp;pm; Monday-Friday (with the exception of public holidays and track work performed by the authority). On weekends and public holidays, trains run every 20&nbsp;minutes on all rail lines. Bus routes have varying frequencies dependent upon passenger demand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/howto/hours.htm |title=Hours of Operation |access-date=February 25, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070330024613/http://www.itsmarta.com/howto/hours.htm| archive-date = March 30, 2007}}</ref>

===Fare reciprocity===
Through formal fare reciprocity agreements, MARTA riders are able to [[transfer (public transit)|transfer]] for free to the three other metro-Atlanta transit systems: [[Ride Gwinnett]], [[CobbLinc]] and [[Georgia Regional Transportation Authority|GRTA Xpress]]. Some of these agreements require that neither system have significantly more transfers than the other. MARTA has stated that this is the case, that inbound (to MARTA from another system) and outbound (from MARTA to another system) transfers are approximately equal (for second quarter 2006, 8888 daily passengers transferred inbound and 8843 transferred outbound).<ref name="boardmin">{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/board/minutes/Customer%20Development%203_20_2006.doc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017205933/http://www.itsmarta.com/board/minutes/Customer%20Development%203_20_2006.doc |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2006 |title=Minutes of the Board of Directors Customer Development Committee |access-date=February 24, 2008 |date=March 20, 2006 |format=DOC |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority }}</ref> Analysis of morning transfers (5 to 9&nbsp;am) to MARTA shows that Cobb County had 718 inbound transfers but only 528 outbound, Gwinnett County had 239 inbound and 269 outbound, and GRTA Xpress had 1,175 inbound but 615 outbound.<ref name="boardmin" /> Some have suggested that more people from the other systems may benefit from free transfers than those living in the MARTA service area.  It has also been noted that workers traveling in the morning to Atlanta from another system will more than likely make the return trip home, resulting in an equal number of transfers.

==Funding==

===Sales tax===
In addition to fare collections, the MARTA budget is funded by a 1% [[sales tax]] in Fulton, Clayton and DeKalb counties along with limited [[Federal government of the United States|federal]] money. In 2017, the City of Atlanta raised their sales tax for MARTA to 1.5% to improve and expand MARTA. For fiscal year 2007, MARTA had a [[farebox recovery ratio]] of 31.8%.<ref name="2007FR" /> By law, funds from the 1% sales tax must be split evenly between MARTA's operational and [[Capital expenditure]] budgets. This restriction does not apply to other sources of revenue, including passenger revenue.<ref name="06martoc">{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/about/MARTOC/2006MARTOCREPORT(web).pdf |title=FY06&nbsp;MARTOC Report |access-date=February 24, 2008 |date=August 15, 2006 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203142246/http://www.itsmarta.com/about/MARTOC/2006MARTOCREPORT%28web%29.pdf |archive-date=December 3, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The split was written into MARTA legislation at MARTA's formation with the rationale that MARTA should continue expanding and investing in the system. Nonetheless, MARTA has no active heavy rail construction projects. Capital funds continue to decrease every year, creating a shortfall. The operations funds limit the amount of service MARTA provides. The sales tax law was amended by the state legislature in 2002 to allow a temporary three-year 45% capital/55% operations split.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://itsmarta.com/about/history05.htm |title=History of MARTA - 2000-Present |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025507/http://www.itsmarta.com/about/history05.htm| archive-date = September 27, 2007}}</ref> This additional 5% for operations expired in 2005. A 2005 bill to renew the split was tabled by the legislature's MARTA Oversight Committee, forcing MARTA to pass a new budget with cuts in service. The temporary 45%/55% capital/operations split was renewed again in the 2006 state legislative session. The capital funds surplus has resulted in projects, such as a new US$100&nbsp;million [[Breeze Card]] fare collection system and US$1.1&nbsp;million automatic toilets in the MARTA Five Points station, occurring at the same time that MARTA is struggling to pay for bus and rail operations. In 2015, the Georgia General Assembly approved a new bill that no longer requires MARTA to split the 1% Sales Tax. Due to low Sales Tax Revenue and no source of funding from the State of Georgia, MARTA was forced to eliminate 43 bus routes, eliminate shuttles, (Excluding the Six Flags Over Georgia and Braves Shuttle) and reduce Rail Service frequencies and hours. MARTA also closed the majority of its station restrooms. There are 13 station restrooms open to the public, most of which are located at the terminus of each line, and which include College Park, Arts Center, Peachtree Center, West End, Avondale, Kensington and Lindbergh Center. There are two Ridestores available, located at the Airport and Five Points Rail Stations. Despite the massive cuts, MARTA predicted the system would still come up 69.34&nbsp;million dollars short for FY 2011, which was pulled from their Reserved Account.<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Donsky |title=MARTA flushes in new era with 12 self-cleaning toilets |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=July 19, 2006 }}</ref> A $9 million addition was posted for 2013. This money was reinvested into the system by adding frequency to trains and bus routes.

The current 1% sales tax was set to be reduced to 0.5% in 2032. In early 2007 MARTA made a request to the City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, and Fulton County to seek a 15-year extension of the 1% sales tax from 2032 to 2047, with a 0.5% sales tax from 2047 to 2057.<ref name="tax1">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Donsky |title=Atlanta votes to extend sales tax for MARTA |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 29, 2007 }}</ref> This is the fourth time in its history that MARTA sought the extension, the most recent in 1990.<ref name="tax2">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Donsky |title=Atlanta extends MARTA sales tax to 2047: Agency seeks extension approval from governments|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 28, 2007}}</ref> MARTA said the commitment to the tax is needed for the agency to secure long-term financing in the form of bonds to pay for any future expansions to the system.<ref name="tax1" /> The resolution called for four new routes: bus rapid transit from [[H.E. Holmes (MARTA station)|H.E. Holmes station]] to Fulton Industrial Boulevard, bus rapid transit from [[Garnett (MARTA station)|Garnett station]] to [[Stonecrest Mall]], transit for the [[BeltLine]], and a direct transit link from [[Lindbergh Center (MARTA station)|Lindbergh Center]] to Emory University (formerly called the "C-Loop").<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Donsky |title=Atlanta council plans special meeting for vote on MARTA tax |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 26, 2007}}</ref> To approve the tax extension, two of the three government agencies needed to agree to the extension. In March 2007 the City of Atlanta voted 12–1 to approve the extension.<ref name="tax1" />  In April 2007 the DeKalb County Commission also approved the sales tax extension.<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Donsky |title=MARTA wins tax extension: Next stop could be new bus, rail lines|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=April 25, 2007 }}</ref>  Some Fulton county officials opposed the sales tax extension on the basis that the proposed service expansions did not include previously proposed expansion of the North Rail line to Roswell and Alpharetta in North Fulton County.<ref name="tax3">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Donsky |title=Northside may balk on MARTA tax|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=April 4, 2007 }}</ref>

===State funding controversy===
MARTA was formed through the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act of 1965, an act of the [[Georgia General Assembly]]. In addition to allowing the formation of the agency, and the collection of revenue from taxes, the legislation previously placed restrictions on how the agency managed its funds. In particular, the legislation established that any funds raised from the sale of bonds and capital goods would be spent on capital expenditures, and that any extra proceeds be put aside for paying off bond debt. While the enabling legislation put restrictions on how MARTA could manage its money, MARTA has never received any operational funding from the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|State of Georgia]], making it the largest public transportation agency in the United States and the second-largest transit agency in [[Anglo-America]] (after the [[Toronto Transit Commission]]){{Citation needed|date=March 2008}} not to receive state or provincial funding for operational expenses.<ref name="cloaf">{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Wall |title=Waiting for a ride: The racial reality behind MARTA's downward spiral |url=http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A63086 |work=Creative Loafing |date=April 19, 2006 |access-date=February 24, 2008 |archive-date=November 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116171125/http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A63086 |url-status=live }}</ref> The funding restrictions on MARTA were removed in 2015, with the passage of House Bill 213 by the General Assembly.<ref>{{cite web|title=HB173|url=http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20152016/HB/213|publisher=Georgia General Assembly|access-date=May 28, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529045452/http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20152016/HB/213|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early April 2009, MARTA experienced a budget crisis when the Georgia General Assembly failed to pass a bill that would allow MARTA to access its own capital reserve [[Deposit account|account]], in order to compensate for a severe drop in sales-tax revenue during the [[late-2000s recession]]. MARTA stated that this could force the agency to discontinue operations one day out of the week, possibly a weekday. The agency's budget crisis forced MARTA to lay off 700 employees. Service cuts and other budget-stabilizing measures began in [[fiscal year]] 2011, with the first affected service mark-up in September 2010. Governor [[Sonny Perdue]] refused to call a [[special session]] as requested, and did not issue an [[Executive order (United States)|executive order]] as he stated it would not be legal to do so.

==Governance==
MARTA is a [[joint powers authority]] that is governed by a [[board of directors]], consisting of representatives appointed from the city of [[Atlanta]] (3&nbsp;members), and the remainder of the [[list of counties in Georgia|counties]] of Fulton (3&nbsp;members), Clayton (2&nbsp;members) and DeKalb (4&nbsp;members). Additionally, there is 1 representative from the [[Georgia Department of Transportation]], and 1 representative from [[Georgia Regional Transportation Authority]] who also serve as non-voting members.<ref name="board">{{cite web |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/board/meet.htm|title=Meet The Board |access-date=February 25, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070813145703/http://itsmarta.com/board/meet.htm| archive-date = August 13, 2007}}</ref>

Positions on the MARTA board are directly appointed by the organizations they represent. Although the state of Georgia does not contribute to MARTA's operational funding, it still has voting members on the MARTA board. A similar situation existed for both Clayton and Gwinnett counties during most of MARTA's history; as a consequence of passing the authorization referendum but not the funding referendum. Gwinnett County have representation on the MARTA Board of Directors without paying into the system. This situation became controversial in 2004 when Gwinnett's representative Mychal Walker was found to have accepted US$20,000 from a lobbyist trying to secure a US$100 million contract with MARTA. Despite the controversy, as well as a MARTA board ruling that Walker violated the MARTA ethics policy, the Gwinnett County Commission initially failed to remove Mr. Walker from his position on the MARTA Board. Eventually, the state legislature was called upon to change the law governing MARTA's Board to allow for the removal of a member whose appointing county did not act on a request for removal. Before the new law could be used, Mr. Walker was arrested on an unrelated child support violation, which resulted in his firing by the Gwinnett County Commission.

The highest position at MARTA is the [[general manager]] and chief executive officer.  Below is a list of people that have held the position:
* MARTA's General Manager was Richard McCrillis from 2006 to 2007. In October 2007, McCrillis [[retire]]d after 22&nbsp;years of service at MARTA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://notify.itsmarta.com/legacy/newsletter/2007/october.html |title=MARTA Monthly MARTA Thanks General Manager Richard McCrillis for 22 Years of Dedicated Service and Leadership |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority |date=October 20, 2007 |access-date=January 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121065936/http://notify.itsmarta.com/legacy/newsletter/2007/october.html |archive-date=November 21, 2008 }}</ref>
* In October 2007, Dr. Beverly A. Scott was named the new general manager. Prior to joining MARTA, Dr. Scott served as GM/CEO of the [[Sacramento Regional Transit District]]. She has over 30&nbsp;years of experience in the transportation industry. After 5&nbsp;years at MARTA, she decided not to renew her contract with MARTA's board of directors. Scott's last day was December 9, 2012.
* Keith Parker was MARTA's General Manager/CEO from December 9, 2012 – October 11, 2017.
* Jeffrey A. Parker served as MARTA's General Manager/CEO position starting in 2017 until his death in 2022.<ref name="MARTA website">{{cite web |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/about/Dr.Scott_biography.html | title=Dr. Scott's Biography | publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority| access-date=January 15, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080624010347/http://www.itsmarta.com/about/Dr.Scott_biography.html| archive-date = June 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 15, 2022|title=Update: MARTA CEO Jeff Parker hit by train at East Lake station|url=https://saportareport.com/breaking-marta-ceo-jeff-parker-is-dead/sections/reports/maria_saporta/|access-date=January 15, 2022|website=SaportaReport|language=en-US|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115170014/https://saportareport.com/breaking-marta-ceo-jeff-parker-is-dead/sections/reports/maria_saporta/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Collie Greenwood assumed responsibilities as interim MARTA CEO on January 15, 2022.  Prior to his role as interim CEO, Greenwood was MARTA's deputy general manager for operations.<ref>{{Cite news|title=MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker, 56, has died|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/breaking-marta-ceo-jeff-parker-has-died/QCX3EFKDTFB4BFUV3D75IDYSC4/|access-date=January 17, 2022|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=English|archive-date=January 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116045020/https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/breaking-marta-ceo-jeff-parker-has-died/QCX3EFKDTFB4BFUV3D75IDYSC4/|url-status=live |last1=Wickert |first1=David }}</ref> Greenwood was removed from his position as MARTA CEO by the Board of Directors on July 17, 2025, citing immigration status issues.<ref>{{Cite news|title=MARTA CEO steps down amid issues with immigration status|url=https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/07/17/marta-ceo-steps-down-amid-issues-with-immigration-status-board-says/|access-date=July 17, 2025}}</ref>

The [[Georgia General Assembly]] has a standing committee that is charged with financial [[Regulation|oversight]] of the agency. During the [[150th General Assembly of the State of Georgia|2009 legislative session]], Representative Jill Chambers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/house/Committees/martoc/gahmart.htm |title=MARTOC |publisher=Georgia General Assembly |access-date=March 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109084454/http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/house/Committees/martoc/gahmart.htm |archive-date=November 9, 2007 }}</ref> the MARTOC chairperson at the time, introduced a [[bill (law)|bill]] that would place MARTA under [[GRTA]], and permanently remove the requirement that MARTA split its expenditures 50/50 between [[capital (finance)|capital]] and operations. This would allow MARTA to avoid service cuts at times when [[sales tax]] [[revenue]] is low due to [[recession]], without having to ask the state legislature for temporary exemptions (typically a 55/45 split) as it has received before. The bill was not passed, but the funding restrictions were removed in 2015.

==Performance and safety==
During the 2005 fiscal year, MARTA had a [[customer satisfaction]] rate of 79%. [[On-time performance]] for rail service was 91.64%. The mean distance between rail service interruptions was {{convert|9493|mi|km}} and the mean distance between bus failures was {{convert|3301|mi|km}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itsmarta.com/about/annualreport/fy05ar.pdf |title=Fiscal Year 2005 Annual Report |access-date=February 24, 2008 |date=June 30, 2005 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071203142305/http://www.itsmarta.com/about/annualreport/fy05ar.pdf| archive-date = December 3, 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Marta accident.jpg|thumb|April 2000 MARTA accident at [[Lenox station (MARTA)|Lenox station]]]]
MARTA has had two fatal accidents that resulted in a formal investigation by the [[National Transportation Safety Board]]. On February 25, 2000, a train near [[Avondale station (MARTA)|Avondale station]] struck two automatic train control technicians who were inspecting a relay box; one was fatally injured and the other technician suffered serious injuries. The workers had failed to apply for a safe clearance restriction for the track work. In addition, the rail system center controller, who was aware of the workers, failed to notify train drivers of the technicians' presence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2003/RAB0303.pdf |title=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train 103 striking technicians fouling the track Near MARTA Avondale Station in Decatur, Georgia February&nbsp;25, 2000 |access-date=February 24, 2008 |date=August 8, 2003 |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |archive-date=October 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022062149/http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2003/RAB0303.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> A second accident occurred on April 10, 2000, when a train struck a bucket lift containing two contract workers at [[Lenox station (MARTA)|Lenox station]]; the workers were fatally injured. Although the MARTA employee who was accompanying the workers notified the rail control center of the work over the track, the control center employee failed to block off the section of the track in the automated rail control system and also failed to notify the unscheduled southbound train of the workers' presence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2003/RAB0302.pdf |title=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Unscheduled train 166 striking bucket of self-propelled lift containing two contract workers MARTA Lenox rail transit station in Atlanta, Georgia April&nbsp;10, 2000, about 2:30&nbsp;am |access-date=February 24, 2008 |date=August 8, 2003 |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |archive-date=October 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022063123/http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2003/RAB0302.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2001 MARTA settled with the families of the two killed workers for US$10.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |first=Milo |last=Ippolito |title=MARTA pays $10.5&nbsp;million in workers' deaths |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=December 5, 2001 }}</ref>

In addition to these accidents, MARTA trains have [[Derailment|derailed]] five times in recent years. The most recent incident occurred in January 2019 when an out of service train derailed between [[Airport station (MARTA)|Airport station]] and [[College Park station (MARTA)|College Park station]]. The operator was not injured.[https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2019/01/16/marta-train-near-atlanta-airport-derails-service.html][https://www.ajc.com/news/traffic/update-stuck-train-continues-disrupt-marta-service-atlanta-airport/3HCMEzTsDvS1dJ5SxPIIEK/] A previous derailment occurred on December 4, 2006 [[Medical Center station (MARTA)|Medical Center station]] when a train carrying passengers was moved over a [[rail switch]].  No injuries were reported.<ref>{{cite news |last=Donsky  |author2=Morris |title=MARTA back on track after derailment |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=December 4, 2006 }}</ref> In July 1996 during Atlanta's hosting of the [[1996 Summer Olympics|Olympics]], a paired car on a train that had developed mechanical problems was uncoupled from other cars at [[Indian Creek station]] (the last station on the east line). The train began rolling, crashing through the bumper at the end of the rail line and running off of the track. The train operator, the only person on board, received minor injuries.<ref>{{cite news |last=Monroe |first=Doug |title=MARTA driver injured when two cars derail|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=July 25, 1996 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=ATLANTA DAY 7;Atlanta Train Misses Station | date=July 26, 1996 | url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06EFDD1739F935A15754C0A960958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink | work=The New York Times | access-date=February 9, 2008 | archive-date=February 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215042444/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/26/sports/atlanta-day-7-atlanta-train-misses-station.html?sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink | url-status=live }}</ref> In June 1996 a minor derailment occurred at the junction between the North and Northeast lines; MARTA estimated 150 people were aboard.<ref name="accident">{{cite news |last=Kim |first=Lilian |title=MARTA officials say accident a 'fluke'|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=June 2, 1996}}</ref> The derailment occurred when a rail supervisor told the train driver to reverse the train after realizing the train had gone the wrong way at a track split; a MARTA investigation of the incident showed the derailment caused $125,000 of damage to the train and track and caused injury to 16 passengers.<ref>
{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=David |title=Derailment probe cites bad decisions; Three MARTA employees were suspended and two managers face disciplinary action as a final report confirms MARTA's explanation that 'human error' was to blame|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=June 18, 1996}}</ref> And in August 1994 a minor derailment occurred at a switch between [[Edgewood/Candler Park station|Candler Park]] and [[Inman Park/Reynoldstown station|Inman Park]]. Approximately 20 passengers were on board and no one was injured.<ref name="accident" />

On December 31, 2007, MARTA had three separate [[escalator]] accidents that injured at least 11 people. The incidents occurred as large crowds were going to the [[Chick-fil-A Bowl]]. Two escalators failed at [[Five Points station]], and one escalator failed at [[Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center station]]. MARTA initially blamed the incidents on rowdy patrons jumping on the escalator.<ref>
{{cite news |last=Visser|first=Steve |title=MARTA escalator accident blamed on rowdies|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=December 31, 2007}}</ref> A subsequent formal investigation showed that the braking systems and a weak motor were to blame for the incidents.<ref>{{cite news |last=Visser|first=Steve |title=MARTA blames brakes and weak motor for escalator accidents|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=January 11, 2008}}</ref>

In September 2008, a Fulton County jury awarded a woman $525,000 for injuries received in an accident at the [[Peachtree Center station]]. MARTA has been criticized for its escalator maintenance policies after recent injuries due to escalators overloading, but has discussed plans to improve its policies and regulate passenger loads with posted station agents.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/02/14/MARTA_0215.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=13 |title=MARTA escalator failures were mechanical |access-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-date=December 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226135348/http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/02/14/MARTA_0215.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=13 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Criticism and concern==
Criticism of MARTA has originated from many different groups. Opponents of MARTA are critical of MARTA's perceived inefficiency and alleged wasteful spending. Supporters of MARTA are critical of the almost complete lack of state and regional support of MARTA. In recent years, additional concerns have been raised regarding the reliability of service, as well as the governing structure of MARTA.

===Lack of regional financial support===
Since the formation of MARTA, the Georgia state government has never contributed to MARTA operational funding. Currently, MARTA is the largest mass transportation system in the United States not to receive state funding.<ref name="cloaf" /> Revenue from the Georgia motor [[fuel tax]] is currently restricted to roads and bridges and cannot be used for public transportation, further complicating potential sources of state funding for MARTA.<ref name="bullard" />  In addition, the other largest two suburban counties ([[Gwinnett County, Georgia|Gwinnett]] and Cobb counties) have refused to join or fund MARTA. Both Gwinnett and Clayton counties initially agreed to join MARTA but refused MARTA rail and bus service when voters in their respective counties voted against paying to help fund the system. Clayton County finally joined MARTA in November 2014. Gwinnett, along with Cobb County, created independent bus transit: [[CobbLinc|Cobb Community Transit]] on July 10, 1989,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dot.cobbcountyga.gov/cct/cct-history.htm |title=Cobb Community Transit (CCT) History |access-date=February 29, 2008 |publisher=Cobb County Department of Transportation }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Gwinnett County Transit]] on November 5, 2001.<ref name="RTAP" /> A separate regional bus transit service, Xpress, is operated by the [[Georgia Regional Transportation Authority]] in partnership with 11 metro Atlanta counties including Fulton and DeKalb, and began service on June 6, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xpressga.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=9&Itemid=45|title=About Xpress|access-date=February 29, 2008|publisher=Georgia Regional Transportation Authority|archive-date=March 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327002828/http://www.xpressga.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=9&Itemid=45|url-status=live}}</ref>

The MARTA Board members are criticized for not being regular users of MARTA and thus are not actually aware of the concerns of MARTA commuters. Former CEO, Keith Parker, was known for commuting daily from Dunwoody to the headquarters using the Red Line.

Due to no funding from the state of Georgia and its limited funding from Fulton, Clayton and DeKalb counties, MARTA has struggled for many years to provide adequate service to the metropolitan area. As a result, MARTA has gained a notorious reputation throughout the metro Atlanta area for being ineffective and inconvenient.<ref name="cloaf" /> Many people who own cars avoid using the system altogether while residents in suburban areas usually drive their car to a MARTA rail station (instead of using bus service) if their job is near an adjacent one. MARTA's financial structure (being tied to a 1% sales tax) has forced the agency to cut services during times of economic depression, further resulting in complaints about the inconvenience and inadequacy of MARTA services.<ref name="cloaf" />

Although surrounding counties do not pay for MARTA, many of their residents use MARTA by driving directly to a MARTA station or by using a county or regional bus system that connects to MARTA. A license plate study from 1988 to 1997 showed that 44% of the cars parked in MARTA park-and-ride lots were from outside of Fulton and DeKalb counties.<ref name="bullard" /> Current fare reciprocity agreements also allow non-paying counties to provide bus service for their residents that provide free connections to MARTA (see ''Fare reciprocity''). According to a 2000 MARTA ridership study, 12% of MARTA riders live outside of MARTA's service area.<ref name="RTAP">{{cite web|url=http://www.grta.org/rtap/pdf_files/Ch_1_2.pdf |title=Task 1.2 Existing Transit Service Inventory |access-date=February 29, 2008 |date=April 30, 2002 |work=Regional Transit Action Plan Technical Memorandum Number 2 |publisher=Manuel Padron & Associates, Inc. and URS, Inc. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409023230/http://www.grta.org/rtap/pdf_files/Ch_1_2.pdf |archive-date=April 9, 2008 }}</ref>

===Effects of race on expansion and funding===
It is often argued that racial politics also play a role in the operation and future service planning for MARTA. Opponents of Georgia's transportation policies have alleged a race-based two-tiered system, where billions are spent by the state on highway expansion to aid the automobile commutes of mostly white residents of the suburbs and rural areas (like [[Governor's Road Improvement Plan|GRIP]]), while service cuts at MARTA have hurt mostly black riders in low-income areas where residents cannot afford automobile ownership.<ref name="cloaf" /> Proponents contest that a portion of state funding for highways comes from the [[gasoline tax]], a user [[fee]] analogous to the fare MARTA riders pay.  Supporters of MARTA have alleged that the lack of participation by other metro Atlanta counties is rooted in [[racism]] and [[classism]].<ref name="cloaf" /><ref name="TorresBullard">{{cite book |author1=Torres, Angel O. |author2=Bullard, Robert D. |author3=Johnson, Glenn D. |title=Highway robbery: transportation racism & new routes to equity |publisher=[[South End Press]] |location=Boston |year=2004 |page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780896087040/page/53 53] |isbn=0-89608-704-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780896087040/page/53 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Atlanta weighing transit expansion | date=August 13, 1989 | url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFDC1E3BF930A2575BC0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink | work=The New York Times | access-date=February 24, 2008 | archive-date=February 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215042508/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/13/us/atlanta-weighing-transit-expansion.html?sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Doug |last=Monroe |url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/great-reads/marta-tsplost-transportation/ |title=Where It All Went Wrong |magazine=Atlanta magazine |date=August 1, 2012 |quote=Racist suburbanites brayed that the system's acronym stood for 'Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta.' |access-date=October 29, 2024 }}</ref> In 1987, David Chesnut, then chairman of MARTA, stated, "The development of a regional transit system in the Atlanta area is being held hostage to race, and I think it's high time we admitted it and talked about it."<ref>{{cite news|first=William|last=Schmidt|title=Racial roadblock seen in Atlanta transit system|date=July 22, 1987|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE1DE153DF931A15754C0A961948260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 27, 2008|archive-date=February 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215042444/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/22/us/racial-roadblock-seen-in-atlanta-transit-system.html?sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of its [[Civil Rights Act of 1964#Title VI|Title VI]] plan, MARTA data revealed that in 2015, 75% of MARTA riders were black.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/More/Diversity_and_Inclusion/Title%20VI%20Plan%202016-2019%20final%20revised%2061016%20(003).pdf|title=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Title VI Program Update June 2016 - 2019|website=Itsmarta.com|access-date=March 26, 2019|archive-date=June 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611165152/http://itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/More/Diversity_and_Inclusion/Title%20VI%20Plan%202016-2019%20final%20revised%2061016%20(003).pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The percentage of white riders is particularly low outside [[rush hour]]s.<ref name="TorresBullard" /><ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=McCosh |title=MARTA calls on marketers for image aid; Can soft drinks fill empty seats? |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=February 11, 2001 }}</ref>

===Criminal activity===
Despite a strong safety record, throughout MARTA's history there have been continued concerns regarding criminal activity on MARTA trains and in and around MARTA train stations. In the aftermath of a 1985 [[assault|aggravated assault]] against the daughter of a [[Georgia State University]] professor, complaints were made that MARTA was underreporting its annual crime statistics. A 1986 review of the previous year's records by MARTA's audit office and the state legislature's MARTA Oversight Committee (MARTOC) showed no deliberate underreporting of crime, but rather over-reporting of crime because MARTA included crimes not related to the rail line and did not adhere to the [[Uniform Crime Reports|Uniform Crime Reporting]] system (reporting multiple crimes by the same person instead of only the most serious crime).<ref>{{cite news | first=Karen| last=Harris | title=MARTA over-reporting its crimes, legislative audit finds | date=May 30, 1986 | work=The Atlanta Journal}}</ref>

According to Federal Transit Administration records, MARTA's crime statistics are in line with those of similar-sized systems, such as [[Bay Area Rapid Transit]] in the [[San Francisco Bay area]].<ref name="crime">{{cite news | first=Paul| last=Donskey|author2=Daniels, Cynthia|title=MARTA: HOW SAFE? Transit system officials defend security, cite low crime totals, despite a few high-profile incidents| date=February 9, 2007 | work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref>  Nonetheless, high-profile crimes on or near MARTA have created the impression with some that MARTA is unsafe and lacks a strong police presence, even though it has its own [[police department]].<ref name="crime" /> From 2005 to 2009, two [[homicide]]s and one [[rape]] were reported on MARTA property. The most common crime reported was [[larceny]]. The most common area for crime was MARTA's rail service, followed by MARTA's parking lots. For [[fiscal year]] 2009,&nbsp;MARTA had a crime rate of 3.09 per 1 million riders, with 483 crimes reported during the entire year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/4year-comparison.aspx |title=MARTA Police: Crime Stats |access-date=May 25, 2010 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority |archive-date=January 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102170251/http://itsmarta.com/4year-comparison.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

Suburban counties have opposed expanding MARTA on the basis that it would lead to increased crime, as well as the cost of expansion and the lack of perceived necessity to areas currently outside MARTA transit. It is alleged that because MARTA's service area includes some of Atlanta's most economically depressed and high-crime neighborhoods, expansion of MARTA would supposedly allow crime to spread to suburban areas. Then-MARTA-CEO, Dr. Scott, acknowledged that assumption and cites a study that did not find transit systems to nucleate crime{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}. Other counterarguments often cite the case of the [[Washington Metro]], which provides services in economically depressed areas with limited problems in suburban Washington D.C. stops.<ref>{{cite news | first=David | last=Firestone | title=Overcoming a Taboo, Buses Will Now Serve Suburban Atlanta | date=April 8, 2002 |url =https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E7D9123DF93BA35757C0A9649C8B63 | work=The New York Times | access-date = February 24, 2008 }}</ref>

===Reliability of service===
[[File:Marta construction.jpg|thumb|MARTA construction at [[Peachtree Center (MARTA station)|Peachtree Center]]]]
As is typical of rail transit in the United States, MARTA's rail lines have [[double track|two parallel tracks]]. Any train failure or track work results in shared use of the other track by trains going opposite directions, a situation known as [[single-line working|single-tracking]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/gagan.htm |title=We're Building a Better Way |access-date=February 25, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061017181753/http://www.itsmarta.com/gagan.htm| archive-date = October 17, 2006}}</ref> There are no plans at this time to expand the number of tracks. MARTA is currently nearing the end of a complete replacement of tracks on all rail lines. Over the past few years, this replacement work has caused the agency to implement single-tracking on the weekends, which in turn has caused weekend patrons to experience less-frequent service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/latest_news/singletrack.htm |title=MARTA Track Renovation Information |access-date=February 25, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070629192446/http://itsmarta.com/newsroom/latest_news/singletrack.htm| archive-date = June 29, 2007}}</ref>

In the summer of 2006, as a result of unusually high summertime temperatures, many MARTA rail cars became overheated, damaging on-board propulsion equipment. As a result, many trains broke down and had to be taken out of service for repair. This was further compounded by the fact that at any given time up to 50 older rail cars were out of service as part of MARTA's rail car rehabilitation project. To compensate for the reduced number of operating rail cars, MARTA shortened trains from six to four cars in length. This sometimes resulted in almost half of the trains being shortened, creating crowded conditions for passengers.<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Donsky |title=MARTA riders crowd heat-diminished fleet |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=September 12, 2006 }}</ref>

A 2024 analysis found that MARTA's rail lines had experienced a significant surge in weekend service cuts and delays due to single tracking, resulting in 5,500 canceled trains in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gregory |first=Sara |title=MARTA to rethink weekend service cuts after Pride weekend delays |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/marta-to-rethink-weekend-service-cuts-after-pride-weekend-delays/6AWWURUZSRAGVBWORNLBCKFQH4/#:~:text=MARTA%20train%20riders%20experienced%20lengthy,to%20the%20Atlanta%20Pride%20parade.&text=MARTA%20says%20it%20is%20reconsidering,last%20weekend's%20Atlanta%20Pride%20celebrations. |access-date=April 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Ip |first=Alex |date=November 1, 2024 |title=Atlanta Takes No Pride in MARTA's Weekend "Special Schedules" |url=https://www.thexylom.com/post/atlanta-takes-no-pride-in-marta-s-weekend-special-schedules |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=The Xylom |language=en}}</ref> This was especially problematic on the [[Gold Line (MARTA)|Gold]] and [[Red Line (MARTA)|Red Lines]], which were single-tracked 80% of weekends, while the Blue and Green Lines were single-tracked 50% of weekends.<ref name=":6" />

===Misuse of funds by employees for personal expenses===
In 2006 internal and external audits of MARTA corporate spending revealed personal charges on a pair of MARTA credit cards used by former General Manager and CEO Nathaniel Ford and two of his secretaries.<ref name="MARTA_$$$_BIZ_ATL">{{cite news | url=http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2006/08/21/story3.html | title=Ex-MARTA CEO abused credit cards | work=Atlanta Business Chronicle | last=Mahoney | first=Ryan | date=August 18, 2006 | access-date=October 27, 2006 | archive-date=December 24, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224211136/http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2006/08/21/story3.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Ford's charges included $454 at a golf pro shop, $335 in clothing from [[Men's Wearhouse]] and a $58 visit to the dentist.<ref name="MARTA_$$$_BIZ_ATL" /> In response to the 2006 audit, Ford sent MARTA a check for $1,000 as reimbursement for the charges.<ref name="MARTA_$$$_BIZ_ATL" /> An additional credit card with charges involving two of his secretaries, Iris Anthony and Stephannie Smart, was also uncovered. Smart used the cards to pay approximately $6,000 in private expenses, and subsequently agreed to repay this amount to MARTA.<ref name="MARTA_$$$_BIZ_ATL" />

== Proposed expansions ==
MARTA was built with at least three stubs for rail lines that were never built. The Northwest Line towards [[Cobb County]] has a stub tunnel east of [[Atlantic Station, Atlanta|Atlantic Station]], but that [[redevelopment]] has not been built with a MARTA station in mind, and Cobb County would instead most likely get a [[light rail]] or [[commuter rail]] system (neither of which have been studied) or a [[bus rapid transit]] service (see [[Northwest Corridor HOV/BRT]]). The Northwest line was reduced to two planned stations but was later dropped entirely.

The South Line's branch to Hapeville was considered for extension into Clayton County as far away as [[Forest Park, Georgia|Forest Park]], but this idea was also cut off when the voters of that county initially refused to approve tax funding for the line. Another idea for a rail [[spur line]] was for an above-ground line from near the International Airport for a spur line to the town of [[Hapeville]], but no work has been initiated. The idea to revive expansion plans in the form of heavy rail and bus was approved to go once again before voters in November 2014 by the Clayton county commissioners in July 2014 with a 1% sales tax providing the funding for said expansion. This time, the referendum was approved and Clayton County voted to join MARTA, the system's first ever expansion outside of Fulton, Dekalb and the city of Atlanta.

Yet another proposed spur line would have branched off the Blue Line in DeKalb County, Called the [[Tucker-North Dekalb Line]] it would have run northeast to the area of [[North Druid Hills, Georgia|North Druid Hills]], Emory University, and the town of [[Tucker, Georgia|Tucker]]. Now under consideration is an idea for light rail line (rather than heavy rail) from Avondale Station to Lindbergh Center, via Emory/CDC.

The Northeast Line of the rail system, which has ended in Doraville for two decades, was considered for extension into [[Gwinnett County]] as far as northeast as [[Norcross, Georgia]], but this idea was cut off when the voters of that county declined to approve sales-tax funding for it.

The Proctor Creek branch was also projected to go one more station northwestward to the West Highlands neighborhood, but no work has been done on that one either.<ref>[http://world.nycsubway.org/us/atlanta/marta-provisions.html MARTA Provisions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216232421/http://world.nycsubway.org/us/atlanta/marta-provisions.html|date=February 16, 2008}}. world.nycsubway.org. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.</ref>

Expansion westward to [[Georgia State Route 70|Fulton Industrial Boulevard]] through the use of either heavy rail extension or bus rapid transit has been proposed as an extension of the West Line since the system was originally planned.<ref>{{cite web |title=West Line Corridor Details |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/westline.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092848/http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/westline.htm |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority}}</ref>

=== Clifton Corridor ===
{{main|Clifton Corridor}}

Rapid transit alternatives are as of October 2011, under consideration for the [[Clifton Corridor]], from [[Lindbergh Center (MARTA station)|Lindbergh Center]], following the [[CSX]] rail corridor to Emory University and the [[Centers for Disease Control]], with possible continuation along the northern edge of Decatur on to [[Avondale (MARTA station)|Avondale MARTA station]]. Bus, light rail and heavy rail rapid-transit options had been considered,<ref>[http://www.itsmarta.com/Clifton-Corr.aspx MARTA Clifton Corridor] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124141535/http://www.itsmarta.com/Clifton-Corr.aspx|date=January 24, 2012}}</ref> with light rail being selected as the preferred option.<ref>[http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2012/03/22/light-rail-transit-recommended-for-the-clifton-corridor.php Light Rail Transit Recommended for the Clifton Corridor - Annals of Transportation - Curbed Atlanta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623065029/http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2012/03/22/light-rail-transit-recommended-for-the-clifton-corridor.php|date=June 23, 2012}}. Atlanta.curbed.com (March 22, 2012). Retrieved on August 16, 2013.</ref>

=== Mall at Stonecrest Expansion ===
Eastward expansion focuses on bus rapid transit from [[downtown Atlanta]] along [[Interstate 20 in Georgia|I-20]] and extension of heavy rail transit from [[Indian Creek (MARTA station)|Indian Creek station]], south along I-285 to I-20, then east along the I-20 corridor to the [[Mall at Stonecrest]]. The current Green Line would also be extended east from its current terminus at [[Edgewood/Candler Park (MARTA station)|Edgewood/Candler Park station]] to Mall at Stonecrest.<ref>{{cite web |title=I-20 East Corridor Details |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/i20east.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025705/http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/i20east.htm |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority}}</ref>  This proposed extension has not been studied further since 2018.

=== Connect 400 ===
The Georgia 400 Transit Initiative (also known as "Connect 400") is a MARTA project to study options for expanding high-capacity transit along the [[Georgia State Route 400]] corridor into the northern reaches of Fulton county.<ref>{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/north-line-400-corr.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125084902/http://www.itsmarta.com/north-line-400-corr.aspx |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |access-date=November 24, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=MARTA |first=Connect 400 |title=September 26, 2013 Presentation |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/Connect400_Public_Meeting_5_Presentation_sb_9-26-13_jes.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204206/http://www.itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/Connect400_Public_Meeting_5_Presentation_sb_9-26-13_jes.pdf |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |access-date=October 28, 2013 |work=MARTA Ga 400 Corridor Presentations |publisher=MARTA}}</ref>  The initiative, kicked off in December 2011, envisages an 11.9-mile extension of rapid transit service, starting in the south at [[North Springs (MARTA station)|North Springs Transit Station]], the current terminus of the existing MARTA [[Red Line (MARTA)|Red Line]]. From there, such an extension would continue northward through the cities of [[Sandy Springs, Georgia|Sandy Springs]], [[Roswell, Georgia|Roswell]], and [[Alpharetta, Georgia|Alpharetta]], terminating in the vicinity of Windward Parkway.

As of the fifth public meeting on the subject on September 26, 2013, the study had narrowed the field of transit technology alternatives to three, all using existing right-of-way along SR&nbsp;400: heavy-rail transit (HRT, extending the Red Line northward), light-rail transit (LRT), or bus rapid transit (BRT). Early designs for all three options include stations near Northridge Road, Holcomb Bridge Road, Mansell Road, [[North Point Mall]], and Windward Parkway; initial sketches of the LRT and BRT options also include a station near Old Milton Parkway.<ref>{{cite web |last=MARTA |first=Connect 400 |title=Connect 400 Newsletter #3: September 2013 |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/Newsletter%20No3%20Draft_130911.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022015652/http://www.itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/Newsletter%20No3%20Draft_130911.pdf |archive-date=October 22, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2013 |work=MARTA Ga 400 Corridor Newsletters |publisher=MARTA}}</ref>

As of June 2015,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/About_MARTA/Planning/Northline_Ga_400_Corr/Scoping_Booklet_FINAL_GA400_02APR15(2).pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701024649/http://www.itsmarta.com/uploadedFiles/About_MARTA/Planning/Northline_Ga_400_Corr/Scoping_Booklet_FINAL_GA400_02APR15(2).pdf |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |access-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref> the project is moving into the Environmental Impact study stage of the planning process. According to MARTA Representatives at the April 2015 meetings, the expansion could open in 2025 at the earliest assuming a best-case scenario. Federal funding is still not approved; the Environmental Impact study must be complete. By the April 2015 meeting, the LRT option has been discarded. The HRT option has been approved as the Locally Preferred Alternative,<ref>{{cite web |date=April 9, 2015 |title="Connect 400" Transit Initiative Moves Forward |url=http://www.peachpundit.com/2015/04/09/connect-400-transit-initiative-moves-forward/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630212121/http://www.peachpundit.com/2015/04/09/connect-400-transit-initiative-moves-forward/ |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 29, 2015}}</ref> though two BRT options exist - one that would run in a dedicated bus guideway and the other to integrate with Georgia DOT's planned work for the corridor. The GDOT integrated option would include sharing normal traffic lanes at least in some parts of the route. The plans for stations at Mansell Rd. and Haynes Bridge Rd. have been merged into one station at North Point Mall.

As of June 2018, the project's adopted alternative is bus rapid transit (BRT) style bus service utilizing express lanes along new toll lanes.  Heavy rail expansion will not be considered according to the signed House Bill (HB) 930.

=== Atlanta Beltline ===
{{Update section|date=May 2025|reason=References are from 2008}}
{{Main|Streetcars in Atlanta#Beltline routes}}
[[File:Beltline-breaks.png|thumb|Map showing Beltline and connected [[neighborhoods of Atlanta|neighborhoods]]; numbers represent discontinuities in current rights of way]]
Additionally, several traffic corridors are currently being studied by MARTA for possible system expansion. The [[Atlanta Beltline]] is a proposal for the use of [[light rail]] and possibly bus or [[streetcar]] service on existing railroad [[right-of-way (transportation)|rights-of-way]] around Atlanta's central business districts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Beltline Corridor Details |url=http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/beltline.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025636/http://www.itsmarta.com/newsroom/beltline.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority}}</ref> The conversion of existing rail right-of-way to the proposed BeltLine also calls for the creation of three additional MARTA rapid transit stations where existing lines intersect the Beltline at Simpson Road, Hulsey Yard, and Murphy Crossing.

=== Proposed new infill stations ===
Adding another station to the existing line near [[Armour Yard]] (MARTA's main [[railyard]], opened 2005) has also been discussed, as the Red and Gold MARTA lines, the northeast BeltLine light rail, proposed commuter rail lines to points northeast such as [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]] (the "[[Brain Train]]") and [[Gainesville, Georgia|Gainesville]], would all pass through Armour Yard. Other stations that have been proposed are; Mechanicsville, Boone, Murphy Crossing, and Krog.

The proposed [[Atlanta Multimodal Passenger Terminal]] (MMPT) would be built next to Five Points station, connecting MARTA to surface [[passenger rail]], including commuter rail, future [[intercity rail]], [[Amtrak]], and possible [[high-speed rail]] in the [[Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor|Southeast Corridor]].

Additional expansion plans for MARTA and other metro Atlanta transportation agencies are detailed in [[Mobility 2030 (Atlanta)|Mobility 2030]] a timeline by the [[Atlanta Regional Commission]] for improving transit through the year 2030.

== Major incidents<!--linked here from Joetavius Stafford-->==
{{Expand section|date=October 2011}}
On April 10, 2000, two MARTA contract workers repairing the ceiling of MARTA's Lenox Station were killed when an unscheduled MARTA train struck the bucket of the self-propelled lift they were in. As a result, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) audited MARTA operations and enforced changes to rule compliance by MARTA employees.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=August 8, 2003|title=RAILROAD ACCIDENT BRIEF: METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY (MARTA) UNSCHEDULED TRAIN 166 STRIKING BUCKET OF SELF-PROPELLED LIFT CONTAINING TWO CONTRACT WORKERS AT MARTA LENOX RAIL TRANSIT STATION IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, APRIL 10, 2000|url=https://trid.trb.org/view/740544|access-date=February 23, 2022|archive-date=February 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223191256/https://trid.trb.org/view/740544|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 15, 2011, 19-year-old Joetavius Stafford was killed by a MARTA police officer at the Vine City rail station. MARTA claims that Stafford was armed while his brother said he was unarmed. After a full investigation, there was evidence that Stafford was armed and the MPO was cleared.<ref name="DeadTeen">Steve Visser (October 17, 2011). "[http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/marta-dead-teen-was-1204009.html MARTA: Dead teen was armed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020123255/http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/marta-dead-teen-was-1204009.html |date=October 20, 2011 }}" ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]''. Accessed October 26, 2011.</ref><ref name="LittleHelp">Steve Visser (October 20, 2011). "[http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/forensic-evidence-little-help-1206704.html Forensic evidence little help in investigation of MARTA shooting] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023213832/http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/forensic-evidence-little-help-1206704.html |date=October 23, 2011 }}" ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]''. Accessed October 26, 2011.</ref>

In June 2018, a MARTA contractor died after being struck by a train while working on the tracks between Buckhead and North Springs stations.<ref name="ContractorDeath">Adrianne Haney (June 13, 2018). "[https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/marta-contractor-struck-by-train-sunday-night-has-died/561116569 MARTA contractor struck by train Sunday night has died] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215042445/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/marta-contractor-struck-by-train-sunday-night-has-died/561116569 |date=February 15, 2023 }}" 11-Alive. Accessed March 12, 2020.</ref>

On January 14, 2022, MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker committed suicide by stepping in front of a moving train at the East Lake station.<ref name="MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker Dies by Suicide After Stepping in Front of Train">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/human-interest/marta-ceo-jeffrey-parker-dies-by-suicide/|title=MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker Dies by Suicide: 'He Will Be Greatly Missed'|first=Abigail|last=Adams|work=People|date=January 15, 2022|access-date=September 5, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023233007/https://people.com/human-interest/marta-ceo-jeffrey-parker-dies-by-suicide/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portalbar|Georgia (U.S. state)|Transportation|Trains}}
* [[List of MARTA rail stations]]
* [[List of United States rapid transit systems by ridership]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=yes|commonscat=yes}}
* [http://www.itsmarta.com/ MARTA website]
* [https://www.breezecard.com/default.aspx MARTA Breeze website]
* [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1023 New Georgia Encyclopedia article]
* [http://world.nycsubway.org/us/atlanta/ nycsubway.org Atlanta page]
* [http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/landingpage/collection/Stupich Martin Stupich Photographs, 1977-1978 of the development of MARTA] from the [[Atlanta History Center]]
* [http://digitalcollections.library.gsu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/marta Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Collection] from [[Georgia State University]]

{{MARTA Nav}}
{{USSubway}}
{{Atlanta history}}
{{Atlanta}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority| ]]
[[Category:Underground rapid transit in the United States]]
[[Category:Transportation in Atlanta]]
[[Category:Bus transportation in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Electric railways in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Proposed public transportation in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Intermodal transportation authorities in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:750 V DC railway electrification]]