MARTA moves to smart cards
Agency hopes new technology will lead to regionalized fare collection system.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority (MARTA) has announced that it is implementing a smart-card system that officials say will eventually lead to a regionalized fare collection network.
The Breeze system, which uses electronic fare cards to replace tokens and coins, will begin to show up at MARTA stations in 2005 and be completely installed by 2006.
Officials have said the $180 million Breeze system will help cut down on the estimated $10 million a year MARTA loses due to fare cheats, forged transfers, scams and other fraudulent activities.
The Breeze card technology will allow for a unified fare system where customers could use just one card to pay for multiple transit agencies and toll roads in the Atlanta area.
More Management
Brian Dickson on Building Stronger, More Resilient Transportation Organizations
Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.
Read More →
LA Metro Breaks Ground on Vermont BRT Project
The 12.4-mile corridor is projected to serve 66,200 daily riders, reduce travel times by up to 24%, and create the nation's busiest bus rapid transit corridor.
Read More →
Building Stronger Leaders, More Resilient Transit Teams
Dr. Carol Parker Walsh discusses leadership development, employee retention, workplace culture, and preparing transit’s workforce for AI and automation.
Read More →
Roman Cornell on ABC Companies’ Evolution and the Future of Passenger Transportation
The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.
Read More →
CATS Launches West Charlotte Microtransit Zone, Expands Transit Services
The new microtransit zone connects residents to key destinations as Charlotte Area Transit System rolls out the first phase of its 2055 Transit System Plan.
Read More →
VIA Bus Ridership Grows 10.1% Through August 2026
San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit reported the highest bus ridership growth among major Texas transit systems. Federal Transit Administration data ranked it second among the nation's 50 largest transit systems.
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 →
ETA CEO John Maglio on Transit Technology, Innovation, and Building Agency Trust
ETA founder and CEO John Maglio explores the evolution of transit technology, the importance of reliable systems, and how stronger partnerships can help agencies improve operations and the passenger experience.
Read More →
COTA Launches First Customer Experience Action Plan to Improve Transit Service
The new plan outlines improvements to service reliability, accessibility, communication, and the overall rider experience across Central Ohio's transit system.
Read More →
LA Metro September Ridership Climbs 3.9%, Led by Rail Growth
The agency recorded more than 27.2 million boardings, with rail ridership increasing 12.4% year over year and the D Line posting the largest gains.
Read More →