FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2026
HOW TO RIDE MARTA DURING THE BETTER BREEZE FARE
PAYMENT CUSTOMER TRANSITION PERIOD
ATLANTA – The
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) better Breeze fare payment
system is live, and installation of new fare equipment including fare gates and
ticket vending machines continues at rail stations systemwide. During the
customer transition period that runs until May 2, 2026, customers will
encounter old and new fare equipment and ongoing construction. Fare gates are
being left open to ensure access to the MARTA system, but customers are
encouraged to tap if possible.
Here’s how to ride MARTA
during this transition period:
If you have an old
silver Breeze card or the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app with value left on them, tap at
any old faregate or old bus validator. Reminder, the old gates will be open,
but please tap if possible. Customers cannot load fare onto an old silver Breeze
card or the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app. If you encounter an old faregate and have no
way to pay, please enter the system.
If you encounter a new
faregate while entering or exiting a rail station, you can tap a credit or
debit card or mobile wallet directly at the gate. You can purchase a new orange
Breeze card or ticket at any new ticket vending machine, keeping in mind that
not every station has machines installed yet. If you encounter a new faregate
and have no way to purchase a new Breeze card and are unable to use your bank
card or mobile wallet, please enter the system.
If you are used to using
the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app to ride and want to download the new Breeze Mobile
app, note that the app is available but only for use as an account management
tool. A virtual card through the app will be available later this month. For
now, you can purchase a physical Breeze card, register the card on the new app,
and load fare. The new Breeze cards are account-based so your money is in your
account, not on the actual card, but if you want to use the app right now, you
will need a physical Breeze card linked to it.
New orange Breeze cards
and multi-day passes are available for purchase at any new ticket vending
machine, Ride Store, and at Home | Breeze
Ticketing Atlanta. Again, note that new ticket vending machines are
not yet installed systemwide so if you are planning to use a Breeze card or
multi-day pass to ride, and you are not able or have not had an opportunity to
purchase these items, please enter the system and make a plan to purchase these
fare products before the customer transition period ends May 2, 2026.
Currently certified
Reduced Fare and Mobility customers will receive new Breeze cards in the mail.
If you do not receive a new card by May 1, 2026, visit the Reduced Fare office
at MARTA headquarters located at 2424 Piedmont Road NE in Atlanta.
Cash is still accepted
on local bus routes (exact change required) and to purchase a new Breeze card
or ticket at any Ride Store or new ticket vending machine. Customers cannot
load their new orange Breeze cards with cash on the bus.
Starting May 2, 2026,
all fare gates will close (except those still under construction) and customers
will need a new form of payment to ride MARTA such as a new orange Breeze card,
bank card, or mobile wallet on their smart phone or watch. Old silver Breeze
cards and Breeze Mobile 2.0 will not work on the new better Breeze system.
For customers unable to
spend down old Breeze balances before switching to better Breeze, balance
transfers to a new, registered Breeze account will be accommodated May 5 – Oct.
30, 2026. Information on how to transfer balances will be provided soon.
For more information
visit MARTA and view Get
to Know Better Breeze or (Spanish)Get
to Know Better Breeze. Attached please find flyers detailing how to use the new better
Breeze system.