RELATED: Siemens, Atlanta Streetcar form technical, digital service partnership
MARTA to maintain $1 Atlanta streetcar fare policy
Other operational decisions such as service frequency and route expansion will come after MARTA assumes ownership on July 1.

The four-car light rail system will be part of MARTA’s new Office of Light Rail Operations. Image: MARTA

The four-car light rail system will be part of MARTA’s new Office of Light Rail Operations. Image: MARTA
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors voted to keep the existing $1 fare to ride the Atlanta Streetcar. Other operational decisions such as service frequency and route expansion will come after MARTA assumes ownership from the City of Atlanta on July 1.
The four-car light rail system will be part of MARTA’s new Office of Light Rail Operations. This office will handle daily operations, maintenance, and technical inspections. Communications, human resources, and policing, as well as other support services, will be provided by staff within current MARTA departments.

MARTA announced it will maintain the $1 Atlanta streetcar fare policy. Image: MARTA
During the transition, MARTA remains focused on enhancing safety and security, increasing ridership, reducing operating costs, and system integration. The streetcar’s 2.7-mile circular route presents an opportunity for MARTA to provide last-mile connectivity to riders, aligning rail schedules so commuters can use the streetcar for the last leg of their trip. The transition will also allow the streetcar to be integrated into the area’s larger transportation system which received a boost this legislative session with the passage of House Bill 930.
The operating budget will be underwritten by More MARTA, the 2016 half-penny sales tax referendum.
More Rail

Trinity Metro Breaks Ground on $270M TEXRail Extension
The 2.1-mile extension will connect Fort Worth’s Medical District and Near Southside to downtown, surrounding communities, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Read More →
Bringing Austin’s First Light Rail System to Life
Austin Transit Partnership CEO Greg Canally discusses the city's nearly 10-mile light rail project, its collaborative approach to project delivery, the importance of community engagement, and the milestones ahead as construction approaches in 2027.
Read More →
Metra Draft Plan Outlines Costs, Service Improvements for Regional Rail
The Systemwide Network Plan identifies infrastructure needs and potential investments to expand all-day, bidirectional rail service across the Chicago region.
Read More →
Amtrak Completes First Street Tunnel Upgrades, Restores Service
The nine-day construction project included replacing aging track infrastructure and modernizing switch systems near Washington Union Station.
Read More →
FRA Announces $2.3B for Passenger, Freight Rail Projects Nationwide
The CRISI Grant Program funding will support rail infrastructure improvements, safety upgrades, and projects aimed at improving freight and passenger rail service across 45 states and Washington, D.C.
Read More →
Caltrain’s Electrification Drives a New Era of Ridership Growth
The railroad’s shift to electric service has brought more frequent trains, stronger customer satisfaction, and increased ridership, earning it APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System award.
Read More →
FTA Advances $164M Broward County Commuter Rail Project
The proposed 10.5-mile commuter rail extension would connect Fort Lauderdale and Aventura, expanding passenger rail options in South Florida.
Read More →
New York MTA Launches Historic $1.9B Signal, Track Modernization Project
Funded in part by congestion pricing revenue, the project will replace nearly century-old signals along the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.
Read More →
LA Metro Breaks Ground on East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project
The 6.7-mile line will add 11 stations along Van Nuys Boulevard, expand access to jobs and regional transit connections, and support Metro’s broader efforts to improve mobility as rail ridership grows.
Read More →
CSA Group Releases Climate Resilience Standard for Transit, Passenger Rail
Developed with support from the Standards Council of Canada, CSA D700 guides assessing climate-related risks and planning adaptation measures for transit and passenger rail systems.
Read More →