A fix is coming for MARTA's often-broken fare gates and outdated payment system, two perennial frustrations for regular riders.
Starting March 28, riders can buy and use the new Breeze cards, part of the first major upgrade to MARTA's fare collection system in decades. Once paired with the new fare gates and fare boxes being installed across the system, it should make payment and access easier for passengers on a transit system that's struggled to accurately count rail ridership and prevent fare evasion.
MARTA has been installing the new fare gates at train stations and updating its buses with the payment equipment for several months. That process isn't complete, though, so in the meantime, riders will encounter old and new fare equipment, construction and temporary entrances and exits. Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt is asking riders to be patient. "If you've ever done an improvement project, you know it can be messy and inconvenient, but short-term pain is often necessary for long-term gain," Hunt said in a statement.
Between now and May 2, both old and new Breeze cards will work, though old fare media only works on old equipment and new cards only work on new equipment. Replacement of the fare gates at all of MARTA's 38 stations is ongoing. During the transition, gates at all stations will be left open — though MARTA is asking everyone to tap fare media when possible. After May 2, all trips must be paid for with a new Breeze card or another of the new payment options (app, debit card, virtual wallet). Riders with balances on old cards after May will be able to transfer them to a new card through Oct. 31.
Before the FIFA World Cup starts in June, MARTA's goal is to have ticket vending machines installed at every station and new fare gates at all high-ridership stations. MARTA is pausing all construction from May 22 to July 19 for the World Cup, with installation at remaining stations resuming after the blackout period. The new gates feature taller partitions designed to prevent fare evasion. The cost to ride remains $2.50 one-way with four free transfers allowed in a three-hour period.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution