By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | October 28, 2025
The next time you step onto MARTA, you may notice something new — and brighter. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority has begun replacing its entire fare collection system, marking one of the agency’s biggest technology upgrades in nearly two decades.
MARTA began installing new fare equipment at Lindbergh Center Station Sept. 22 and at Doraville Oct. 8. The installation of new contactless payment terminals on buses began in mid-September. The installation of new equipment will continue systemwide in phases until the customer transition period next April.
The project will continue in phases through spring 2026, when riders will officially transition to the Better Breeze system.
A System Built for the Future “It’s great to keep fares unchanged for years, but not an entire fare collection system,” said MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt. Hunt called the upgrade essential to preparing for a “once-in-a-generation” year ahead, with new trains, a redesigned bus network, on-demand zones, and a refreshed mobile app launching before Atlanta hosts the 2026 World Cup.
MARTA’s Breeze system first launched in 2006, replacing tokens and paper transfers. While the Breeze name will remain, everything else — from faregates to the mobile app — will be rebuilt.
Tap, Go, and Keep Moving The Better Breeze system introduces open payment technology. Riders can simply tap their credit or debit card, smartphone, or digital wallet to pay the same $2.50 fare. The upgrade also includes new orange Breeze cards, improved vending machines, and a redesigned mobile app where users will create new accounts to purchase fares.
For MARTA Mobility and reduced-fare customers, the agency will offer both physical and digital options. Transition details will be announced early next year.
High-Tech Security, Lower Downtime MARTA’s installation partner, INIT, says each faregate unit can run 10,000 hours without service failure. The new gates are more tamper-resistant, remotely monitored, and designed to reduce fare evasion. “This is about transforming the rider experience and making transit more connected,” said Carl Commons, INIT’s CEO.
The technology is already used in cities including Houston, Seattle, Nashville, Grand Rapids, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
No Fare Increase — Just Faster Rides MARTA confirmed there will be no fare increase with the Better Breeze rollout. The systemwide modernization will take place in stages, ensuring riders can still access all rail stations during construction. Riders are advised to follow posted signs at stations to avoid closed faregates while new units are installed.
From Tokens to Tap-to-Pay When MARTA began in 1971, bus rides cost just 15 cents. In 2006, the original Breeze card introduced Atlanta riders to smart-card technology. Nearly 20 years later, MARTA is once again reinventing how Atlanta moves — one tap at a time.
By the Numbers – MARTA Fare Facts
- 15 cents: Original MARTA fare in 1971
- $2.50: Current one-way fare (unchanged for 14 years)
- 10,000 hours: Estimated operating time per faregate without service failure
- 2026: Target year for Better Breeze systemwide launch
- 20 years: Time since the original Breeze system debuted
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