FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2026
MARTA RAPID A-LINE PHASE ONE
LAUNCHES APRIL 18th AS PART OF NEXTGEN BUS NETWORK
ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
Rapid A-Line, the Atlanta region’s first bus rapid transit (BRT)
line, will launch its first phase this Saturday, April 18, 2026, as part of the
NextGen
Bus Network.
The five-mile Rapid A-Line connects Downtown Atlanta to Capitol
Gateway, Summerhill, Peoplestown, and the Beltline’s Southside Trail, with
connections to MARTA’s heavy rail system at Five Points, Georgia State, and
Garnett Stations.
When Phase 1 launches on Saturday, April 18, 2026, it will
feature:
- Service hours - 5 a.m. to 1
a.m.
- 40-foot CNG buses with Rapid A-Line
branding.
- Completed BRT stations will
feature off board fare payment starting May 2, real-time service
information, and other amenities associated with rail stations.
- In areas where
construction is complete, buses will operate in dedicated red bus-only
lanes with transit signal priority.
- In areas under
construction, temporary bus stops located near stations will be
used, including at Convocation Center, Summerhill, Ormond Street,
Peoplestown, and Carver. Temporary stops near unfinished stations are
fare free.
When driving downtown along the Rapid A-Line route, be
advised of the following:
- Red bus-only lanes are for
MARTA, regional transit partner buses, and emergency vehicles ONLY.
- No driving or parking in red
bus-only lanes.
- There are multiple
intersections where buses receive priority to pass through the
intersection ahead of other vehicles. Please observe all traffic signals
and wait for the bus to clear before proceeding through the following
intersections:
Since its groundbreaking, the project has experienced challenges
including the discovery of old infrastructure during excavation, and a
battery recall on the New Flyer battery-electric buses purchased to operate on
the line. These unforeseen circumstances have delayed completion of BRT
stations and necessitated a phased opening. Phase 2 of the Rapid A-Line
launch is scheduled for fall when all BRT stations are complete. To learn more
visit Rapid A-Line.
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