By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | January 30, 2026
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority opened its doors to riders this week, hosting a systemwide open house aimed at previewing major service upgrades, revised bus routes, and new fare technology that will reshape how Atlantans move across the region beginning this spring.
The open houses are part of MARTA’s outreach around its NextGen Bus Network, the launch of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, the introduction of MARTA Reach, and the transition to the agency’s new Better Breeze fare collection system. Rather than formal presentations, the events feature informational displays and staff available to answer general questions and help riders understand how the changes may affect their daily commutes..
Officials emphasized that the changes are intended to make service faster, more reliable, and more accessible—while addressing long-standing rider concerns around safety, fare evasion, and neighborhood connectivity.
Bus Rapid Transit and New Neighborhood Connections
One of the most visible additions is MARTA’s Bus Rapid Transit service, which will use articulated electric buses operating every 10 to 12 minutes in dedicated lanes. The goal is to deliver rail-like frequency and reliability on major corridors without the cost or disruption of new rail construction with greater flexibility than rail expansion.
Complementing BRT is MARTA Reach, a new on-demand transit service developed as part of the NextGen Bus Network. Reach will offer shared, curb-to-curb rides within 12 designated zones and serve as a first- or last-mile connection to existing bus routes and rail stations.
Vans are ADA-accessible and available 18 hours per day, seven days a week. Riders can request service through a mobile app or by phone.
Reach zones include West Atlanta, Kirkwood/Candler Park, East Point, Gresham Park, North Fulton, and several South DeKalb and industrial corridors, expanding MARTA’s footprint beyond traditional fixed-route service.
NextGen Bus Network: Nearly Every Route Changes
Beginning April 18, 2026, MARTA’s NextGen Bus Network will bring sweeping changes to nearly every bus route in the system. The redesigned network focuses on simpler routes, fewer transfers, and more frequent service.
Seventeen major corridors—including Buford Highway, Memorial Drive, Campbellton Road, Covington Highway, and Metropolitan Parkway—will see buses arriving every 15 minutes or better. Timed transfer points and more consistent schedules are intended to reduce wait times and improve reliability throughout the day and on weekends.
MARTA officials stressed that while some routes may look different on paper, the redesign is aimed at getting riders to more places, faster, with fewer missed connections.
Budget, Safety, and Fare Evasion Addressed in Writing
Questions regarding fare evasion, station safety, and the budget impact of new services were submitted by The Truth Seekers Journal and addressed in written responses from MARTA officials following the open house.
According to MARTA, the Rapid A-Line BRT service is being funded through the voter-approved More MARTA half-penny sales tax, while MARTA Reach will be supported by the agency’s Core Penny sales tax. Final operating budgets for both programs are currently under development as part of MARTA’s FY2027 budget process and will be presented to the MARTA Board for approval once finalized.
On safety and fare evasion, MARTA officials stated that the new Better Breeze faregates are designed to be more tamper-resistant and can be monitored and adjusted remotely. While MARTA has not yet released system-specific data, officials noted that the agency reviewed case studies from peer transit systems showing significant reductions in fare evasion following the installation of higher, reinforced faregates.
When asked about evidence supporting those claims, MARTA pointed to case studies from other transit systems. Washington Metro has reported fare evasion reductions of more than 70 percent at stations with higher, reinforced faregates, while BART in the Bay Area has documented reductions of roughly 55 to 60 percent following similar upgrades.
MARTA plans to collect and analyze its own fare-evasion data once the new system is fully deployed.
Better Breeze: New Faregates, New Rules
A major focus of rider questions centered on MARTA’s transition to the Better Breeze fare system, which replaces the existing Breeze cards, vending machines, and mobile app.
Beginning March 28, 2026, MARTA will operate both systems during a transition period that runs through May 2. After that date, current Breeze cards and the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app will no longer work, and balances will not carry over.
The new system introduces contactless payments using credit or debit cards, mobile wallets, new Breeze cards, and a redesigned mobile app. Cash will continue to be accepted on local buses.
More Chances for Public Input
MARTA has scheduled more than 20 additional open houses across the region through late February, with stops at rail stations, libraries, recreation centers, and city halls from Alpharetta to College Park and Doraville.
Agency officials encouraged riders to attend, review proposed route changes, ask questions, and prepare for the upcoming fare transition.
For riders navigating a growing region with evolving transportation needs, the message from MARTA was clear: change is coming—and the agency wants the public informed before it arrives.
Upcoming MARTA Open House Dates and Locations
MARTA has scheduled additional open houses across metro Atlanta to provide riders with information about upcoming service changes, new routes, and fare system updates.
February 2026 Open House Schedule
- Monday, Feb. 2 | 7:00–11:00 a.m. Lindbergh Center Station
2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 - Monday, Feb. 2 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. Lindbergh Center Station
2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 - Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 7:00–11:00 a.m. College Park Station
3800 Main St, College Park, GA 30337 - Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. College Park Station
3800 Main St, College Park, GA 30337 - Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 4:00–8:00 p.m. Alpharetta City Hall
2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, GA 30009 - Monday, Feb. 9 | 4:00–8:00 p.m. Northwest Library at Scotts Crossing
2489 Perry Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 - Tuesday, Feb. 10 | 7:00–11:00 a.m. East Point Station
2848 East Main St, East Point, GA 30344 - Tuesday, Feb. 10 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. East Point Station
2848 East Main St, East Point, GA 30344 - Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 4:00–8:00 p.m Exchange Recreation Center
2771 Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30034 - Thursday, Feb. 12 | 7:00–11:00 a.m. North Springs Station
7010 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 - Thursday, Feb. 12 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. North Springs Station
7010 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 - Monday, Feb. 16 | 7:00–11:00 a.m. H.E. Holmes Station
70 Hamilton E. Holmes Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30311 - Monday, Feb. 16 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. H.E. Holmes Station
70 Hamilton E. Holmes Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30311 - Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 4:00–8:00 p.m. Tucker–Reid H. Cofer Library
5234 Lavista Rd, Tucker, GA 30084 - Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 4:00–8:00 p.m. The Gathering Place Community Center
6280 Bruant St., Union City, GA 30291 - Thursday, Feb. 19 | 7:00–11:00 a.m. Kensington Station
3350 Kensington Rd, Decatur, GA 30032 - Thursday, Feb. 19 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. Kensington Station
3350 Kensington Rd, Decatur, GA 30032 - Monday, Feb. 23 | 4:00–8:00 p.m. Adams Park Library
2231 Campbellton Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30311 - Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 4:00–8:00 p.m. Carver YMCA
1600 Pryor Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30315 - Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 7:00–11:00 a.m. Doraville Station
6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340 - Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. Doraville Station
6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340 - Thursday, Feb. 26 | 7:00–11:00 a.m. Georgia State Station
170 Piedmont Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303 - Thursday, Feb. 26 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. Georgia State Station
170 Piedmont Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Riders are encouraged to attend an upcoming open house to review route changes, explore new services, and prepare for the upcoming Better Breeze fare transition.
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