MARTA has canceled the planned launch of its new CQ400 railcars. A spokesperson said the trains will not be ready to enter revenue service as planned, citing incomplete safety certifications.
"The safety of our employees and riders is always our priority. We are committed to ensuring all testing and safety certifications are complete before the railcars begin serving riders," MARTA spokesperson Stephany Fisher stated.
The agency is replacing its aging fleet of train cars, dozens of which are nearly 50 years old and experience mechanical issues that disrupt riders' commutes regularly. The new trains, built by Swiss manufacturer Stadler for $707 million, have faced a difficult implementation — the rollout was already postponed from the previous year, and MARTA threatened a damage claim exceeding $1 million.
MARTA committed to delivering the new trains before the FIFA World Cup, which begins in less than two weeks. As of the previous week, none of the trains had passed critical safety tests required for Georgia Department of Transportation certification.
Under state policy, MARTA was required to notify GDOT at least 30 days before planned service — a deadline that was missed.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution