MARTA makes changes throughout March

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has been busy this month, springing into the season by launching a new on-demand transit service and preparing for a new fare system.

MARTA kicked off the month by launching an on-demand transit service designed to provide point-to-point shared rides in multiple zones throughout the metro area, including DeKalb County.

Called MARTA Reach, users can request a ride through an app or by calling a reservation line (404-848-6622) which provides a pickup window of 30 minutes or less, according to officials. Initially, MARTA Reach is launching in 12 zones that include West Atlanta, Kirkwood/Candler Park, County Line, Lakewood, Oakley Industrial, Fulton Industrial, East Point, Hillandale, Candler-McAfee/Belvedere Park, Cedar Grove, Gresham Park, and North Fulton. Within these areas, riders can travel curb-to-curb or connect directly to MARTA’s fixed-route bus and rail systems while the service is operating 18 hours a day, seven days a week, explained officials.

A press release about the new service said it launched as scheduled in the beginning of March with leased vehicles due to a nationwide manufacturer recall of the original Dodge Ram ProMaster fleet.

The pivot to a fleet of leased Ford Starcraft vans, which officials described as “temporary,” utilize a wheelchair lift rather than a ramp and unlike the service’s permanent fleet, are not equipped with bicycle racks. “Bicycles will be permitted on MARTA Reach once the permanent vehicles are cleared for service,” said officials.

Now through March 28, users can try MARTA Reach for free. At that time, MARTA Reach fare will be $2.50, matching MARTA’s standard bus and rail prices.

March 28 is also the scheduled launch day for the transit system’s new Breeze fare payment which officials state will modernize the system with “more flexible payment options, touchscreen ticket vending machines and more security.”

MARTA has been installing the new fare gates and system since 2025. New Breeze cards and a new app are part of the launch, and the system will allow customers to tap a bank card of mobile wallet directly at faregates, according to MARTA’s website.

Officials stated that from March 28 to May 2, both the old and new Breeze systems will be active to allow customers time to learn the new system. “During the customer transition, riders can still use their old Breeze cards and the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app at any existing old fare equipment, but old ticket vending machines will be turned off, and no fare may be added to old fare media,” officials continued.

Cash will still be accepted on local buses, at ticket vending machines, and at MARTA Ride stores.

As some construction for these changes is still underway, MARTA officials said customers may encounter both old and new fare gates and temporary entrances and exits during travel. “Riders should continue to follow signs and announcements at rail stations to navigate,” explained officials.

For more information about MARTA Reach and the new MARTA Breeze system, visit https://itsmarta.com/betterbreeze.aspx.