MARTA’S BETTER BREEZE FARE PAYMENT SYSTEM GOES
LIVE MARCH 28, 2026
Current and New Breeze Systems Active March 28 –
May 2, 2026, for Customer Transition Period
ATLANTA – The
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) new, better Breeze fare
payment system goes live Saturday, March 28, 2026, and features flexible
payment options, modern, touchscreen ticket vending machines, and more secure
faregates for a safer transit system.
The new, better Breeze
system will have tap to pay where customers can tap a bank card or mobile
wallet directly at the faregate or validator to pay for their ride. This type
of payment system is used worldwide at restaurants, retailers, and other transit
systems.
The better Breeze system
also features new Breeze cards and a new app. Beginning March 28, 2026,
customers will be able to purchase a new Breeze card, download the Breeze app
to manage their card, and use the tap to pay feature to pay with a bank card or
mobile wallet.
From March 28 to May 2,
2026, both the old and new Breeze systems will be active to allow customers
time to learn the new system and switch to the payment option that works best
for them. During the customer transition, riders can still use their old Breeze
cards and the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app at any existing old fare equipment, but old
ticket vending machines will be turned off, and no fare may be added to old
fare media.
Available March 28, 2026
New Breeze cards,
tickets, and passes
- New
fare products will be available in new ticket vending machines, Ride
Stores, and at the new www.breezecard.com where you can link your
card and autoload it, no waiting!
Tap to pay using a bank
card (all major credit and debit cards accepted)
- Tap
your bank card at new faregate or new orange bus validator.
Tap to pay using a
mobile wallet
- You
must have a bank card connected to your mobile wallet.
- Tap
mobile device at new faregate or new orange bus validator.
New Breeze mobile app
- Download
the new Breeze mobile app, register your physical Breeze card, load fare
and manage your account, including setting up autoloads.
MARTA fare policy
remains the same
- Fare is $2.50 one-way with four free transfers
allowed in a three-hour period.
- Each customer needs their own form of payment. Do not “pass back” a Breeze card or bank
card for others to use. If traveling with children or an individual without
their own form of payment, you may purchase fare at any new touchscreen ticket
vending machine. Note that multiple cards may now be purchased in one
transaction at ticket vending machines. You may also pay for a companion using
a different bank card than the one you used.
- Cash is still accepted on local buses, and at
ticket vending machines and Ride Stores. Customers will not be able to load
cash value onto a Breeze card on board a bus at this time.
- You must use exactly the same payment method
when transferring from bus to bus and bus to rail to ensure you are not charged
additional fare. For example, if you tap your debit card on the bus, tap the
same debit card at the faregate when transferring to rail.
- Please note that even if your bank card and mobile wallet are linked to
the same bank account, they are treated as different payment methods by the
system. Use exactly the same payment method when transferring.
Reduced Fare
and Mobility
- New Reduced Fare and Mobility Breeze cards will
be mailed to customers.
- If you have a new mailing address, call
404-848-5112 or email reducedfare@itsmarta.com.
- New cards will also be available at Reduced Fare
offices.
- Reduced Fare is $1.
- Mobility is $4 and by reservation only (404)
848-5826.
ATL Xpress, CobbLinc,
Ride Gwinnett
- Tap a bank card, mobile wallet, or new Breeze
card on the orange bus validator.
- When transferring between MARTA and a partner
transit system, you must use the same payment method when beginning your trip
and transferring so you are not charged additional fare.
- For example, if you use your debit card to board
an Xpress, CobbLinc, or Ride Gwinnett bus, you must use the same debit card
when transferring to MARTA.
- Please note that even if your bank card and mobile wallet are linked to
the same bank account, they are treated as different payment methods by the
system. Use exactly the same payment method when transferring.
Customers unable to
spend down their current stored fare before switching to the better Breeze
system, may transfer their balance to a new, registered Breeze account May 2 –
Oct. 30, 2026. Information on how to transfer your balance will be shared soon.
Also, riders should
continue to follow signs and announcements at rail stations to navigate ongoing
Breeze construction. Due to the phased construction approach, customers may
encounter both old and new faregates and temporary entrances and exits during their
travels. Depending on the fare equipment available at stations, during the customer
transition period from March 28 – May 2, 2026, riders should be prepared
to:
- Pay fare with their existing Breeze card or app
at old fare equipment if they have any remaining balance. Riders cannot load
fare to old Breeze cards or accounts.
- Purchase new fare from a new ticket vending
machine, Ride Store, or at www.breezecard.com.
- Pay using their bank card or mobile wallet.
- Pay using cash at a new ticket vending machine,
Ride Store, or local bus route. Exact change required on buses.
- MARTA Transit Ambassadors will be out on the
system to assist.
For more information
visit MARTA.
Stay Connected to MARTA
Website
Customer Service – 404-848-5000
Social media - @MARTAservice
and @MARTAtransit