METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

MARTA to assume operations of Atlanta Streetcar

The four-car light rail system will be integrated into MARTA operations and its new Office of Light Rail Operations.

June 6, 2018
MARTA to assume operations of Atlanta Streetcar

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will assume ownership and day-to-day operations of the Atlanta Streetcar from the City of Atlanta on July 1. Photo: MARTA

2 min to read


The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will assume ownership and day-to-day operations of the Atlanta Streetcar from the City of Atlanta on July 1. Photo: MARTA

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will assume ownership and day-to-day operations of the Atlanta Streetcar from the City of Atlanta on July 1.

The four-car light rail system will be integrated into MARTA operations and its new Office of Light Rail Operations. This office will handle all 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.

RELATED: Siemens, Atlanta Streetcar form tech, digital service partnership

Ad Loading...

“As MARTA looks at ways to provide more and better transit options, the streetcar presents an opportunity to expand with light rail,” said MARTA COO Rich Krisak.


Atlanta's four-car light rail system will be integrated into MARTA operations and its new Office of Light Rail Operations. Photo: MARTA

MARTA is currently focused on four transition objectives: enhancing safety and security on the streetcar, 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.

RELATED: Understanding streetcar costs, funding, ops, and partnerships

The MARTA Board of Directors will determine the fare for the streetcar at tomorrow’s board meeting. Other operational decisions such as service frequency and route expansion will be made after the transition is complete.

The operating budget will be underwritten by More MARTA, the 2016 half-penny sales tax referendum.

More Rail

The Gold Line Logo
Railby StaffFebruary 18, 2026

LA Metro A Line Claremont Extension Study Projects $1.1B in Economic Output

Additionally, construction activity is estimated to generate more than $154 million in tax revenue, including more than $20 million for Los Angeles County.

Read More →
SFRTA TOD groundbreaking event
Railby StaffFebruary 17, 2026

SFRTA Breaks Ground on Its First Transit-Oriented Development

The project represents a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity, activate publicly owned land, and create walkable communities centered around transit.

Read More →
UTA FrontRunner vehicles.
Railby StaffFebruary 12, 2026

STV Tapped to Join Progressive Design-Build Team for UTA Rail Expansion 

The nearly $1 billion FrontRunner 2X project is a transformative investment to modernize and expand the 89-mile commuter rail corridor between Ogden and Provo.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A rendering of Alstom's LRV for the Toronto Transit Commission.
RailFebruary 9, 2026

Alstom to Supply New Subway Trains for Toronto

Manufactured and tested in Canada, the vehicles will operate in tandem with a cutting-edge signaling system also supplied by Alstom.

Read More →
A 7000-series WMATA railcar at Navy Yard.
Railby StaffFebruary 6, 2026

WMATA and Kawasaki Resolve 7000-Series Railcar Disputes

A multiparty investigation, led by the NTSB and that included WMATA and KRC, found that wheel migration in the 7000-series railcars contributed to the derailment.

Read More →
Photo for METROspectives episode with Ana-Maria Tomlinson
ManagementFebruary 4, 2026

Establishing Standards & Codes in Canada, with CSA’s Ana-Maria Tomlinson

In this episode of METROspectives, METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sits down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group).

Read More →
Ad Loading...
David Carol, Baker Alloush, and Jesse Lazarus from METRO's People Movement February 4 edition.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsFebruary 4, 2026

New Rolling Stock Strategy Lead at New York MTA and More in People Movement

In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, NCTD, STV, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Railby StaffFebruary 2, 2026

Chicago Region Transit Ridership Grows in 2025

The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.

Read More →
Managementby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Valley Metro Sees Strong Ridership Growth in 2025

The agency ranked top five among mid-sized U.S. transit systems, defined as agencies with 15 million to 50 million annual trips.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Busby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Subway Customer Satisfaction Reaches Record High, New York MTA Says

The subway system saw increases across all key metrics, with 62% of subway riders reporting they feel satisfied with the system overall.

Read More →