The transit money that downtown riders were promised a decade ago is finally being sorted out. The City of Atlanta and MARTA announced on Aug. 27 that they have reached a $52 million settlement resolving a long-running dispute over how More MARTA sales tax proceeds were allocated for enhanced bus service.
Atlanta voters approved the More MARTA sales tax in 2016 to pay for transit expansion. A 2023 city audit questioned MARTA's allocation of some of those dollars toward enhanced bus service, and the disagreement dragged on for years. In March, Atlanta Press Collective reported that only two of 17 promised projects had actually been delivered: the Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit line and the NextGen Bus Network.
The settlement is structured as a transfer back into the More MARTA account. MARTA had already moved $19.37 million from its own reserve account into the More MARTA tax collection fund. Under the agreement, the agency will transfer the remaining $32.63 million in monthly installments, with the full amount due no later than Aug. 31, 2028. The money is earmarked for future More MARTA projects.
For anyone who rides through downtown, the settlement lands in the middle of an unsettled stretch for the agency. MARTA's tap-to-pay fare system is still not operational at all stations four months after installation, and the rollout of Stadler's new rail cars has stalled repeatedly. Earlier in August, MARTA announced more than 30 route changes along with higher long-term parking rates.
Mayor Andre Dickens said the agreement puts the dispute in the past and "allows us to put our full focus where it belongs—delivering the transit investments Atlantans voted for," adding that the resolution protects the city's investment and builds a stronger foundation for working together on the system. MARTA General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt said the deal provides greater certainty for both sides and lets the agency turn the page and focus on meaningful improvements. Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee Chair Alex Wan said voters made a significant investment when they approved More MARTA and that the settlement allows everyone to move forward with greater accountability and transparency.
Original reporting: Rough Draft Atlanta (2026-08-27)