MARTA to Allow Balance Transfers as Better Breeze Fare System Launches

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | February 3, 2026

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will allow riders to transfer unused fare balances as it transitions from the current Breeze fare system to the new, upgraded Better Breeze platform this spring.

MARTA announced that remaining balances from registered Breeze accounts may be transferred to new, registered Better Breeze accounts between May 2 and Oct. 30, 2026, after the current system is officially shut off. Riders are still encouraged to spend down stored fare before May 2, when existing Breeze fare media will no longer function.

The agency is in the process of modernizing its entire fare payment infrastructure, including faregates, fareboxes, ticket vending machines, and fare media. From March 28 through May 2, both the old and new Breeze systems will operate simultaneously. During this overlap period, customers may continue using existing fare, purchase new fare media, create Better Breeze accounts, or use the new tap-to-pay feature with a bank card or mobile wallet.

After May 2, current Breeze cards and tickets will not be compatible with the Better Breeze system. MARTA said balance transfers will be reserved for customers who, due to riding habits or circumstances, are unable to use their stored fare before the cutoff date.

“MARTA understands that some of our customers have large amounts of fare stored on their accounts and will not be able to use that balance by May 2 when the current Breeze system is turned off,” said Jonathan Hunt, MARTA’s interim general manager and CEO. “We will work with each individual to ensure their money is safely moved to a new Breeze account, so they are able to continue riding MARTA when it meets their needs.”

MARTA plans to release detailed instructions for balance transfers in early March. That same month, the agency will stop selling current Breeze fare products according to the following schedule:

30-day passes: March 1, 2026
20- and 10-trip passes: March 15, 2026
1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 7-day passes: March 22, 2026
1- and 2-trip passes: March 28, 2026

Additional information about the Better Breeze system and upcoming changes is available at MARTA’s official website.

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