Dive Brief:
- The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s new bus network will launch Saturday, following five years of planning with customers, communities and county partners.
- The simplified network reduces the number of bus routes from 113 to 81, and aims to provide more consistent and frequent daily service.
- MARTA says the new network, the first whole-system redesign since the early 1970s, “is designed to meet the needs of modern customers using transit in an ever-evolving Atlanta region.”
Dive Insight:
MARTA’s bus network redesign represents one of several projects already begun or about to launch this summer.
The first phase of the transit agency’s first bus rapid transit line begins service Saturday in conjunction with the new bus network. It will connect downtown Atlanta to Capitol Gateway, Summerhill, Peoplestown and the Beltline.
The transit agency, which primarily serves the city of Atlanta and Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties, began an on-demand transit service on March 7, providing point-to-point shared rides within 12 areas of metro Atlanta, with a flat fare of $2.50, the same as MARTA’s bus and rail fares.
New rail cars are expected to be in service in time for the eight FIFA World Cup events at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium from June 15 to July 15.
“Atlanta has changed significantly over the last 40 years, and our bus network must reflect that reality,” Interim MARTA General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt said in a statement. “We want to provide a modern transit experience that prioritizes frequency, consistency, and significantly expanded access to the places that matter most to our riders.”
The redesigned bus routes are optimized for speed and frequency, according to MARTA, enabling riders to reach more hospitals, grocery stores, jobs and colleges.
