FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2026
MARTA BEGINS NEXT WAVE OF INSTALLATIONS
OF BETTER BREEZE FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM
Station Entrance Detours at Sandy Springs, King
Memorial, Garnett, Brookhaven, Peachtree Center, and Civic Center
ATLANTA – The
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) continues systemwide
installation of its new fare collection system. MARTA’s entire Breeze fare
system, including all fare equipment and fare media, is being updated.
Construction of new
faregates and Breeze vending machines is being done in phases to ensure
continued access to rail stations with minimal disruption. This work will not
cause changes to rail or bus service but may require walking detours to enter
and exit stations.
Upcoming faregate construction dates and locations are below.
Winter weather delayed
construction starts:
Lenox construction now starts Thursday,
Jan. 29. Faregates near mall will close. Follow signs to the North entrance
(Resurgens Plaza). For Bus Route 27/shuttles ONLY: Use lower concourse
emergency gate to bus loop.
SEC District
construction now starts Friday, Jan. 30. West entrance to Mercedes-Benz Stadium closed. Use east
faregates (State Farm Arena side).
Starting Monday, Feb. 9
– Sandy Springs Station
All faregates closed for
construction. Use emergency gates. Customers must pay fare to exit at
destination.
Starting Tuesday, Feb.10
– King Memorial Station
All faregates closed for
construction. Use emergency gates. Customers must pay fare to exit at
destination.
Starting Wednesday, Feb.
11 – Garnett Station
All faregates closed for
construction. Use emergency gates. Customers must pay fare to exit at
destination.
Starting Thursday, Feb.
12 – Brookhaven Station
All faregates closed for
construction. Use emergency gates. Customers must pay fare to exit at
destination.
Starting Monday, Feb. 16
– Peachtree Center Station
Half of faregates closed
for construction at both North and South entrances. Use existing faregates
nearby.
Starting Tuesday, Feb.
17 – Civic Center Station
One set of faregates
closed for construction on both Northbound and Southbound
platforms. Customers should use the open faregates nearby.
Fare equipment
construction is currently underway at a total of 16 stations and 27 entrances
throughout the system. For information on station impacts and entrance detours
visit MARTA.
Customers should pay
attention to signs and announcements at rail stations leading them to the open
entrances and faregates. The phased construction approach will mean new
faregates and ticket vending machines may be installed but are not yet in
service.
Customers should continue using the existing Breeze mobile app, Breeze
cards, and fare equipment until the customer transition period from March 28 to
May 2, 2026. Customers should start spending down fare balances now. Current
fare balances DO NOT carry over to new fare media, and customers will lose any
fare they do not use by May 2, 2026.
What will customers
experience with the better Breeze system?
NEW FARE EQUIPMENT: MARTA is installing all new fare payment
equipment including faregates and fareboxes, validators, and touch-screen
Breeze vending machines. The new faregates can be monitored and adjusted
remotely, reducing incidents of fare evasion, resulting in a safer, more secure
transit system.
NEW PAYMENT FEATURE: New machines will allow customers to tap a bank
card or smart phone with a mobile wallet at the faregate or farebox to purchase
fare.
NEW APP: Breeze Mobile 2.0 is going away. Customers will
need to download a new app and purchase a virtual Breeze card to purchase fare.
NEW BREEZE CARDS: New cards will have the continued options of
multi-day and monthly passes. Breeze cards will be account-based with fare
stored in the customer’s account rather than on the card so, if you lose your
registered card, you’ll be able to maintain your balance.
REDUCED FARE AND
MOBILITY CUSTOMERS: Eligible customers will
have the option of getting a new card OR downloading the new mobile
app. Visit a Reduced Fare office, email reducedfare@itsmarta.com, or call 404-848-5112.
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS: MARTA’s institutional partners should email partnerprograms@itsmarta.com.
REGIONAL PARTNERS: CobbLinc, Ride Gwinnett, and ATL Xpress transit
agencies will transition to the better Breeze fare collection system. Customers
will receive more information from their transit provider.
For more information and
to sign up for project updates visit MARTA.