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System Investments Move Forward Without Fare Increase
By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | June 12, 2025
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors has adopted a balanced $1.55 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget that maintains steady fares and funds major infrastructure upgrades focused on safety, cleanliness, and reliability.
This milestone, marking MARTA’s 14th consecutive balanced budget, not only reaffirms its top-tier credit ratings—AAA and AA+—but also underscores the agency’s unwavering fiscal responsibility in the face of rising operational costs. This achievement should instill confidence in our stakeholders and the public about MARTA’s financial stability.
“We had to tighten our belt this year, but we remain committed to growing ridership and making good on commitments to our jurisdictional partners,” said MARTA Board Chair Jennifer Ide. “By keeping safe, clean, and reliable as our north star, we were able to focus on necessary system improvements while remaining good stewards of public money.”
The FY 2026 plan includes $652 million in operating funds and $901.8 million in capital funding. MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood emphasized the transformative nature of the coming year.
“The next fiscal year will be one of incredible improvement, with systemwide once-in-a-generation investments that ensure a safer, cleaner, more reliable MARTA,” Greenwood said. “Customers will see new state-of-the-art railcars, a better, more flexible Breeze system, and an entirely redesigned bus network that increases service frequency.”
Major Investments Rolling Out
Key budget items include:
- $115 million for new trains, with the first set to enter service this fiscal year.
- $104 million to implement a next-generation fare system.
- Nearly $50 million for MARTA’s Station Rehabilitation Program, which upgrades safety and customer experience at all 38 stations.
MARTA’s capital projects span multiple jurisdictions and neighborhoods. In Atlanta, the agency is advancing construction on the Rapid A-Line through Summerhill and the transformation of the dramatic Five Points Station. Projects such as the Bankhead Station platform extension and the Cleveland/Metropolitan Avenue Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) are also in development.
In Clayton County, the investment will support Southlake and SR54 Rapid lines, as well as the Clayton County Operations and Multipurpose Facility and a Justice Center transit hub.
Budget Breakdown
A significant portion of MARTA’s funding comes from local sales tax revenue, projected to exceed $400 million in FY 2026. Farebox revenue and federal assistance comprise the following most significant sources, totaling $155 million.
The operating budget covers a 3% salary increase for non-represented employees and honors all collective bargaining agreements. Rising healthcare and pension costs are also accounted for, and a net reduction of 191 positions—mostly unfilled—helps control expenses without impacting service delivery
.
Looking Ahead
MARTA’s redesigned bus network and new railcars are poised to reshape the rider experience. The enhanced Breeze fare system will offer more flexibility and convenience. Leaders say these improvements are designed not only to modernize MARTA’s infrastructure but also to restore and grow ridership.
To view the full FY 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets, visit itsmarta.com.
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Reading this article gives me hope. Actually, I wrote MARTA’s leadership two or the years ago to express major concerns with their services. Surprisingly, I received a phone call from the Comptroller’s office to share upcoming upgrades, new trains and recognizable changes around the stations. Later, I realized most would occur in the distant future. As a 12 yr passenger on MARTA’s trains into downtown and Midtown, I will not hold my breath on the implementation of all the great and impactful budget items listed. There are appreciable improvements around MARTA’s stations taking place right now, which I applaud. But I’m conflicted on how well MARTA is managing and employees are protecting their investments. The newly installed platforms and white walls are dirty and filthy and the elevator wreak pungent odor from the defecation on the floors. Similarly, train floors and seats are absolutely nasty with many seats occupied by unhoused people seeking refuge and rest. And while I do not intend to paint a picture of lazy and shiftless employees with a broad brush, too many of MARTA’s employees and contractors wander around the stations with rags, brooms, mops and buckets with little evidence of their cleaning efforts. Lastly, I do not always feel safe in the station or on the train. Police are not present throughout the system, and as a practice, MARTA is reactionary versus proactive following life threatening events. So while I express all the warts and my frustrations with MARTA, I am grateful their services are available for those who choose to ride the buses and trains. At the same time, I am empathetic towards the people who rely upon MARTA as their sole source of transportation and are burdened by the lack of infrastructure and consistent services. I am hopeful MARTA can execute its longterm vision for an expanded and improved rail and buses service experience.