MARTA Escalator, Cleared by State, Back in Service at Vine City

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | August 16, 2025

MARTA has officially reopened the escalator at Vine City Station following a thorough investigation and extensive safety checks, one month after a chaotic incident left multiple concert-goers injured.

Incident Recap & Injury Report

Just after midnight on July 15, following the final performance of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, panic erupted at Vine City Station. A concert-goer’s scream—reportedly triggered by spotting a bug—spurred a crowd to surge onto the escalator. The escalator then suddenly accelerated and came to an abrupt halt, leading to a terrifying cascade of riders collapsing over one another.

According to MARTA, 11 people were injured in the incident:

One suffered a broken ankle.
Seven were hospitalized with cuts and scrapes.
Three others received or declined medical care, including two who requested assistance after reaching their destinations.

Witnesses described the situation as horrific. One concertgoer with his family, Henry Dogan said, “It went from the best night of our lives to worst night of our lives. The escalator collapsed, it was a free fall.”

Investigation & Reopening

State inspectors arrived the next morning and found no inherent mechanical failures. Maintenance records showed the escalator had passed routine inspection less than a week before the incident, with all motor belts in place. Investigators concluded the sudden crowd surge caused dislodgement of motor belts from their pulleys, triggering the emergency braking system.

Since then, MARTA and manufacturer Schindler replaced all impacted components, conducted a multi-point systems inspection, and passed a final safety review by state inspectors. The escalator was cleared and reopened on August 15.

Safety Measures Going Forward

To prevent a recurrence, MARTA announced a suite of enhanced safety protocols for large-event traffic:

Crowd metering, including barricades, staff, and high-visibility signage encouraging single-file boarding.
Increased deployment of rail station staff and police officers.
MARTA Load and Go teams to manage platform flow.
Presence of MARTA’s Office of Vertical Transportation personnel and Schindler staff at stations and the Emergency Operations Center.
EMS support staff at key stations to provide immediate medical attention.

MARTA, Schindler, and the state routinely inspect all escalators and perform maintenance, repairs, and cleanings on a regular schedule,” said MARTA Chief Safety & Quality Assurance Officer Ralph McKinney. “These units are safe to use, and we ask customers to follow the staff and sign instructions and board them single file.”

Context & Criticism

The Vine City escalator often handles overflow crowds during stadium events, though the nearby GWCC station typically sees the highest ridership. Despite having extra staff during the concert series, MARTA later acknowledged that staffing levels were about half what was needed for adequate crowd control. This gap has fueled scrutiny over its event-day protocols.

The MARTA board convened shortly after the incident to address accountability, and riders—including those injured—have voiced concerns that better staffing might have prevented the crisis.

Looking Ahead

MARTA is nearing the completion of a multi-year Elevator and Escalator Rehabilitation Program covering all 150 units across 38 stations. However, this incident underscores that equipment upgrades must be paired with robust safety and crowd management protocols—especially in bustling city contexts. As Atlanta gears up for future large-scale events, including the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, MARTA’s response to the Vine City escalator mishap serves as a critical test of its commitment to passenger safety.

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