31-01-2025
State of MARTA 2025: New train car unveiled as transit leaders look towards future
The Brief
MARTA unveiled a new fleet of train cars with enhanced features, expected to enter service by 2026.
A $1 billion investment will enhance all 38 rail stations with improvements like brighter lights and "smart" restrooms.
MARTA Rapid, featuring 60-foot purple electric vehicles, will debut on Summerhill's "Rapid A Line" next year.
The initiatives aim to improve transit safety and performance, crucial for accommodating 2 million more residents in the next 25 years.
MARTA plans to overhaul the existing bus system, seeking community input for the NextGen Bus Network.
ATLANTA - The Council for Quality Growth and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) hosted the 2025 State of MARTA event on Thursday.
The event, attended by over 500 people, including local officials and transit professionals, took place at Lindbergh Station and Uptown Atlanta.
What we know
MARTA unveiled its new fleet of train cars, developed by Stadler Rail, featuring enhanced lighting, seating, digital displays, charging stations, cameras, and noise monitors. The exterior of the cars is marked by a lighted "smile" in red, gold, green, or blue, indicating the rail line they service. The full fleet is expected to enter revenue service by 2026.
What's next
MARTA's General Manager & CEO, Collie Greenwood, announced a $1 billion investment to enhance all 38 rail stations with improvements such as brighter lights, new seating, deep cleaning, repaving, elevators, and "smart" restrooms. Upgrades are already visible at several stations, including Airport and Five Points. Greenwood also discussed the launch of MARTA Rapid, featuring 60-foot purple electric vehicles, set to debut on Summerhill's "Rapid A Line" next year, with additional lines planned for various corridors in Atlanta and Clayton County.
Why you should care
MARTA's initiatives aim to revolutionize the transit experience in Atlanta, providing "safe, clean, and reliable transit to metro Atlantans," as Greenwood stated. The new fleet and station enhancements are part of a broader effort to improve transit safety and performance, with plans for a new communications-based train control system and an automated fare collection system. These developments are crucial as the region anticipates 2 million more residents over the next 25 years, emphasizing the need for a robust transit network.
Local perspective
The Council for Quality Growth, a long-time advocate for transit, convenes the State of MARTA event biennially, bringing together the region's business community and local leaders. Clyde Higgs, the Council's 2025 Board Chair, highlighted the importance of transit network growth, while Michael Paris, President & CEO of the Council, stressed the need for increased investment to accommodate the region's growing population.
What they're saying
Greenwood emphasized MARTA's role as "the backbone of metro Atlanta's transit network," with plans to overhaul the existing bus system and seek community input for the NextGen Bus Network. "Transit is a value proposition that continues to increase as time goes on," he stated. The event also featured remarks from Jennifer Ide, Board Chair of MARTA, and other industry leaders, underscoring the collaborative effort to enhance Atlanta's transit infrastructure.
The Source
The Council for Quality Growth and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority were the sources for this article.
