I love MARTA! I was living in Atlanta when the system was built. It made a huge difference in the amount of time it took to navigate the city known for its traffic congestion. The difficulty of driving the combined I-85/75 through the midst of town at high rates of speed is dreaded & avoided by most out of towners. In the midst of 80mph bumper to bumper traffic, it's difficult for those not familiar with the correct exit lane. When my middle aged son, who has lived in NYC for decades, had a business trip to Atlanta he rented a car. On his return trip to the airport I asked if he planned to go through the middle of town or around the perimeter highway. He responded "the middle of town". I chuckled mentally waiting to hear his reaction. When I finally asked, the NYC driver responded "They go fast.....REALLY fast!" With MARTA you avoid this. There was controversy before construction regarding the counties that would participate in MARTA. In the beginning only Atlanta/Fulton County participated. My 2nd apartment complex on Piedmont Road was new when my roommates and I moved in during 1972. The complex was demolished to build the Lindbergh MARTA station. By that time I was living in East Cobb. But old pictures still provide remembrances of that place in its earlier time. The system has created such easy and fast access, avoiding the traffic congestion that had always been a part of Atlanta. Park & Ride lots provide for riders who aren't in walking distance. Decades after I moved to Coastal Virginia I took my then teenage son to see a musical theatre production at the gorgeous Fox Theater. I chose a hotel close to the Fox. We were able to get onto MARTA inside the airport and exit within a block of our hotel. We walked to the Fox and nearby restaurants. We took MARTA to my longtime shopping center of choice, Lenox Square. Treating him to a hot dog at the legendary Varsity Restaurant was easy with MARTA. Navigating around Atlanta was so easy without a vehicle. It's been over a decade since I last visited the place in which I spent my early adulthood. Still dear to my heart, I'd love to see the expansion of the MARTA line and the conveniences it has added. read more

Marta has had over 50 plus years to get it right and still has not solve transit problem. All the heads of the snake needs to be cut off as well the body needs to be hung and dried. To make way for eager young intuitive minds to get it out of its infancy stage because the whole structure is worthless at this point with the turnover rate that is a constant revolving problem read more

Once again Marta has delayed my day. Got to the Doraville Station and there is a train stuck on the tracks at the station. So now we have to go back south so the driver can change tracks on the way back. This truly sucks because I am in route to an appointment. Another train just passed us going north the conductor never told us to get off the train to continue north. This is very bad service. read more

This is specifically for the MARTA train. I've ridden from North Springs to the airport and back 6 times so that's my perspective. Pros- inexpensive fare and no traffic. Easy to pay using a credit card at the turnstile. Relatively clean for public transportation. Cons- obvious old train cars. Very questionable riders the closer you get to downtown. Smell of marijuana and body odor on at least half the rides. Homeless or at least homeless looking people on every ride who smell. Loud music frequently. I saw a police officer only once who removed a sleeping person who appeared to be living on the train. Last trip I had the delight of seeing a guy with his loud, cursing female friend who were sprawled out on a bench while massaging her feet. Gross! We didn't know there would be food and drink service, but later that same trip there was a fellow making the rounds with his cooler and bag snacks for sale. Keep in mind eating and drinking is prohibited. If Atlanta traffic didn't suck so bad I would never ride the ghetto train. I get that it's public transportation and it's used for shelter by many as well but I believe it could be so much better if there was more police presence and enforcement of the rules. It's so awkward when the good people who just want to get somewhere have to sit in silence because they're afraid of upsetting the uneducated, loud, inconsiderate barbarians. I don't know how those people can survive in society if this is how they act in public. It's such a shame that people aren't brought up with manners. Anyway, I haven't seen any violence yet so that's a plus. Just know that you will be exposed to some of the rudest and barely functional people in society when riding the Marta train. Hopefully there will be a few normal folks on your ride who are just trying to get to work or families going to the airport. read more

I took three buses today to get where I needed to go and every single one of them smelled like marijuana and now I smell like marijuana, not sure if it was a driver or the passengers or maybe both, the odor was strong right by the front door read more

bus drivers rude, I'm not from here and I asked if they were going in my direction. for the bus driver to say read the sign and the sign don't give details so how am I suppose to know. why they can't do the damn job and answer the damn question. then they cancelled 2 buses in a row and I'm trying to get to work on time and do my job. look like yall need to fire and hire. you can tell who don't like there job. thats a shame coming from atl a popular place with rude as people working for public transport. read more

Completely ruined the 14 /60 / 37 / 1 route Who taught I was a smart idea to make a 4 bus location 2 busses???? Now it late 15-30mins late Everytime People can't even get to work anymore read more

POS Company designed to fraudulently take more money from you: 1. Bought a Breeze card with $50 worth of fares. Friend did the same, without using one fare. 2. Last used my Breeze card in March 2026 with about 15 fares left. 3. MARTA changes all machines to accept only new Breeze cards WITHOUT notification one month after. 4. Went to airport last week finding that both our cards were no longer valid, so we had to purchase additional one-way fares. 5. Called MARTA: of course they don't replace the old ones with the new ones for free. 6. In order to transfer any balances, I had to buy the new cards. 6. I can't even just buy the new cards by themselves. I HAVE TO ADD A FARE. 7. So not only did I spend $3.50 (x2) for the airport ride, I now was FORCED to buy $4.50 (x2) for new cards with added fare. 8. I did everything I was supposed to do: a) I created an account online, b) 'linked' my new card to my account, just so I can transfer the old balance to my new account. 9. It gets better: when I tried to transfer my old balance to the new balance, website said I had a $0 old balance. There was nothing to transfer. 10. I used my friend's other card number, which was pristine and had the full 20 one-way fares never used. Guess what: $0 balance. 11. Pieces OS. They get the 1star for actually having a stop directly at the airport, but guess what, so do most other major rail centers. read more

MARTA just can't get it together. They implemented a new system which is somehow already worse than the last. Not only that, I was at a stop waiting for the bus, and the driver drove right past me. This happened quite frequently in the past, and now, even with the "new system," that trend continues. Either the driver was unaware of the stop, or they just kept on driving out of spite. I wouldn't be surprised at this point. MARTA, how hard is it for you to get it together? I know nothings perfect, but it's like you're not even trying. Train your drivers better, fix your apps, and stop canceling routes right and left. This is totally unacceptable. read more

TO MARTA LEADERS AND STAFF: The horrible, filthy condition of the Buckhead Station MARTA stop, both rail and bus and the sidewalks to/from the station on BOTH Peachtree AND the Tower Place walkway bridge is an embarrassment to MARTA and to the City of Atlanta. The smell, the stains, the trash, the dirt, the filth....all of it invite more of the same AND more crime. It shows that you, MARTA, are not paying attention to the condition of YOUR property; therefore, criminals and homeless know they have a great place to hide and stalk. Please clean and repair the Buckhead Station approach walkways and sidewalks, and the stairs, and the trash, and the urine and feces stains, and all surfaces. A clean station is a safe station. read more

Marta took bus 30 from druid lavista road and either i walk 25 minutes in the morning to catch 15 to Lindbergh which is dangerous for most people especially women walking their no side walk so it not safe number 17 doesn't comes early enough for us to get to work 6am . Number 11 take 45 minutes to get midtown also doesn't run early enough we have try all your bus route and none of them run early to be at work at six. I have been doing Uber to Lindbergh since this start so I can get to work on time i cant afford it that money adds up am already struggling and now adding bill every day to get Lindbergh this change was supposed to help the community but marta left a lot of us to figure it out. And they dont care we need help we all already living pay check to pay check read more

Trains are filthy with trash rolling around on the floors and on the seats. It smells bad. Verbal altercation between two riders before we made it to the first stop. For Atlanta being a prominent city, this public infrastructure is an embarrassment. Clean this up for your community members! read more

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spent over 4 hours at Lindbergh waiting in line because my new card never arrived by mail...after all that time, my current funds were not transferred and had to load more funds. Worry about being able to transfer my current funds on May 5th as told by MARTA employees read more

I decided to take the MARTA train from the airport to midtown Atlanta in November 2023 during a 3-day conference. Here's a summary of the good, the bad, and the ugly on using MARTA for out-of-town visitors. THE GOOD: It's a super-convenient way to get from the airport (the train station is a short walk from the baggage claim) to downtown or midtown Atlanta. You can take either the gold or red line trains northbound. Second, it's really inexpensive ($2.50 per ride) compared to an Uber/Lyft. You can also buy a Breeze card ($2) and a multi-day pass which is convenient if you plan to take at least 2 trips per day. After visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park area, I tried the streetcar which provided a clean and comfortable way to return to Peachtree Center. THE BAD: The signs with the name of each station were faded and difficult to read in many locations. Also, the interior of the train was filthy on a Saturday afternoon with garbage. The downtown stations (Peachtree Center) could use a clean scrubbing and "refresh" especially since they are used by tourists visiting the attractions near Centennial Park and conference folks using the GWCC center. It would make MARTA more appealing for visitors. THE UGLY: On the Saturday train, it was overcrowded at College Park and I had the pleasure of listening to a woman yelling profanities on a cell phone in what appeared to be a domestic violence dispute. While I did not feel unsafe at 4pm on a Saturday, I don't think I would want my kids exposed to such language. MARTA could provide "ambassadors" in a few downtown stations; or they could ride select trains to enforce rules. Installing cameras (used in the St. Louis and Philadelphia transit systems) might help with MARTA as well. read more

MARTA - Peachtree Center station - useful stop to walk to Centennial Park. - Public Transportation Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Lies, Lies, Lies....if you are going to make massive changes like this to your entire system. Have the buses scheduled to deliver the schedule you put out! We have been waiting 45 minutes for a 49 bus at MTC! It has NEVER been this late! It's still not even half way here! read more

It's a great service but the trains need to be respected and kept clean. Get serious, be proud Marta management, keep your trains and stations clean. It's not a place for the homeless to sleep and use as urinals. The stench and dirt are unacceptable. read more

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This is by far the WORST public transportation system in America... they never run on time and it's numerous cancellations daily.. The customer service is Terrible Pathetic and Absolute Garbage.. in the past month I've lost more than $40 in unused transit tickets I've purchased on my phone.. read more

The fact that the passengers are still having to walk a whole mile from your car to the platform since November is ridiculous at the East Point Station, and to have to do the same returning back to your car from work. How is Marta supposed to be smarter when it's not making any sense. The new fair gates should've been installed. No later than the end of December. I'm very disappointed in the way one area is treated versus other areas. The difference made is just like night and day. There are people who rely on Marta that's handicap. And are having to deal with this foolishness. On top of that, many times the escalator is not working. We need for you all to complete the work like yesterday. read more

Pro : Direct access from Airport to ATL downtown area. Con : Signage in downtown area are lacking in the platform to which street exits. Cheap and reliable way from airport to downtown. Entrance from airport is right next to the baggage claim, buy ticket and go up level to ride the MARTA into town. Bypass the ticket line by purchasing the ticket online... it is the busiest airport on the planet. Got off at Peachtree and it was a maze without much signage, I end up walking out of the North exit and roam on the city streets southbound to the south exit. Station was quite deserted at night, kind of creepy. read more

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As much as I try to enjoy MARTA. I cant. What's the point of saying a train or bus is suppose to arrive at this time just for it to be 30 mins late. I travel from college park station to dunwoody station for work. I am scheduled at work at 1030. I have to leave my house at 830 just to anticipate a broken/late train. Then I get off at 9 to deal with the same thing going home. Then on top of that why the hell single track before 1030 and make anyone past linbergh wait and get off a train to get home. They system is stupid unreliable and the staff can be ignorant or rude. Marta has never been smarter for anything but wasting time I cant get back. read more

Marta has to be one of the worst transit systems ever. Horrible customer service and they are never on time. Not to mention the bus and trains are always nasty and smelly! read more

They literally stopped traffic to retrieve my son's glasses off the traffic during rush hour! They were amazing! read more

NATIVES AND TOURISTS BEWARE Buses do not run as scheduled, buses are very dirty (buses have rules saying people should not eat or drink, but the driver's do NOT enforce this). Also, the only thing worse than the bus drivers that do not care about routey people or people who trash the bus, is the headquarters. There is a breeze app that MARTA is pushing. DO NOT use this card and do not link your card to the app. The app will double charge you at some point. I had a monthly pass which should offer unlimited rides for the length of the pass. However, instead of using my pass on the app, the app ate the money on my card. I called headquarters multiple times to get it resolved and MARTA did nothing. I spoke to a supervisor, and they did nothing. I asked for them to remove my card, I had to do it myself, because they were incompetent. Also, MARTA takes your money but doesn't show its employees a customers' ride history, even if you are a registered customer eith an account. The whole company is a logistical nightmare. Do NOT trust this company and link your card to the app. If you lose money, chances are you will not get the money back. If they promise to call you, don't expect them to follow through. If you speak to a supervisor, do not expect any resolution or anything to be documented. read more

When I say Marta is trash. From some of the drivers to the black of communicatio. The bus is supposed to leave at 10:20pm. No bus. No acknowledgement of where the bus is. People trying to get to work. Trying to get home and nothing. When I say they are a true shit show. They just don't give a fuck. read more

Riding the MARTA train, I learned how helpful public transportation can be. It was easy to use, and the trains were clean and comfortable. I liked that I could get to the airport without having to drive there or use any gas. Using MARTA also made me understand how public transport helps reduce traffic and pollution. I think MARTA is a great way to travel if you want to be fuel efficient and not be stuck in traffic too. read more

This bus never comes on time after 4 pm idk why it never comes on time bc this gets me mad

Buses and trains are so unreliable. If you're taking the train for work, leave at least an hour early. And if you see a train sitting there stick your arm in because they will take off on you. But they can't leave with the door open. The drivers are all rude and annoyed with a few exceptions. read more

trains/buses prices too high. Why do I gotta pay to go through a damn gate after I JUST purchased a ticket. trains and buses NEVER cleaned thoroughly and I can tell they ain't been updated ever. somebody from Atlanta said the trains have been the same fir about 30 years. whoever in charge dont give a damn about nobody riding read more

my Marta driver Kim bus number 196 drove so well. I appreciate her hospitality and kindness Kim badge number 1752 is very respectful and honorable and I want her to be recognized. thank you for you service. traveling from New York read more

ridiculous service like these train employees don't realize people are trying to catch buses that run once every 45 minutes. just disrespectful service at that point. do better read more

MARTA is really a "could be better" transportation platform in Atlanta. With ATL really booming the past few years, you would probably think the city has a great transportation system. Unfortunately, that's not true. MARTA is the city's subway-train system that not many people utilize because of the dangerous factors, as well as the lack of stations that you're able to be transported to. I don't know how South it goes but in the metro area, it only goes up to Doraville or Sandy Springs. There have been attempts to expand MARTA up to the North Fulton area, but every time that is proposed -- it fails with people voting against it. I have used MARTA maybe ten times in my life. I mean it's not a bad train. It's never super crowded, but because it's not like a mega transportation system, the amount of times train comes and goes is not too much, the app is literally horrible, and sometimes you truly do question your safety on this train. Also, Breeze cards and fares are not that cheap at all. Maybe it's because I come from the country with the world's best subway system, but MARTA really could use some work. read more

MARTA - Inside a MARTA train - Public Transportation Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

The Marta sucks!!! It totally sucks!!! They don't tell you if they are single tracking you will find out when you get there. If a train say it's coming don't believe it until it come.. Patron here in Atlanta has gotten so bad that they are afraid to work at public transportation. They don't care abou the people here as long as we pay read more

5-star equipment, 3-star service. A terrific transit system by large city standards, MARTA is plagued by service problems and bad attitudes. First a qualifier: I grew up on a tiny farm 3 hours south of Atlanta, and ever since I was a child have been fascinated by MARTA trains. I also am a train freak and love subways in general. MARTA is a new-ish (1970s) subway system for the booming big ole' ATL (itself a new-ish city, with nothing older than the "fire of 1865"...) It's similar to other new subway systems in the US (DC, San Francisco, Miami) and less like the older versions that figure in movies / pop culture (NYC, Chicago, Boston). The trains are sleek, generally clean, and generally go where the average tourist or business traveler needs to go. The exceptions are Cobb County and Gwinnett County (they didn't pass the 1% tax to cover construction and operation). MARTA runs not only the subway trains, but the bus system and the Atlanta Streetcar (both also generally new and clean). The stations that stand out are the Airport (stops right inside the terminal), Peachtree Center (3-5 stories below ground with rough granite walls) and Civic Center (mid-air over a ten-lane expressway). The subway will whisk you past Atlanta's car gridlock during rush hour, and gets you to Lenox Square, downtown, sports events, you name it. Service can be a little spotty, and a few of the stations could use an obvious MARTA police officer. Announcements are sometimes so garbled as to be unintelligible (and it's not a southern accent problem, I can speak southern accent myself). By large city standards it feels safe, but a visible officer in each station (a la NYC) would be a great idea. read more

MARTA - Public Transportation Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Wow: What a convenience! We landed in Atlanta and were dreading the cost of an Uber to Alpharetta. I saw the many Marta signs and I suggested to my husband that we use Marta. Great experience. We are New Yorkers, so we are used to graffiti, lots of garbage, and a sometimes-dank smell with feelings of danger to boot in our subway system. Marta was clean, comfortable, and safe. We had a forty minute ride to the North Springs which was quick and easy. Glad we used Marta and saved some money. read more

The administration is ineffective in creating a good transit experience and has demonstrated incompetence for years. I don't ride it anymore because it's gotten crazy since Covid. People are smoking on trains, playing loud music, and generally not following any of the regulations. The construction of MARTA sadly also destroyed Underground Atlanta, which was a thriving multiple-block nightclub and music scene in the 1970s -- track/stations could have been built elsewhere instead of destroying a top local attraction. read more

Redline ...The nighttime is slow and runs single track and takes long. unreliable in the night and always poor signage and direction. You could get lost because directions come from someone on a radio on the train you can hardly understand. The bus schedule should coincide with the train schedule so that you aren't waiting in the cold (during winter) for a bus connection at North Springs. At Lindbergh the Southbound was where the Northbound was supposed to be and the Northbound was where the Southbound which is confusing to passenger. Poor organization. During cold months should have heat on trains. read more

Abysmal. Underfunded and poorly run. Don't trust the schedules, or even the station boards. Forget the announcements which blare thru speakers and can't be understood. Plan at least 45 extra minutes. A poor reflection on Atlanta. We should be ashamed. read more

I've rode marta since I was a kid in the 80s...it's good to get around dealing with traffic..But the last couple of years..it maybe at it's worse...It's now a red flag job..hiring anyone that can drive a bus..but not good at customer service or showing up to work on a regular basis...Therefore buses at times don't even show up...And the city let the homeless thing get outta control therefore..Homeless are sleeping in the stations and leaving their mess on the trains and at the stations..causing rats to run on the platform.. read more

MARTA - Homeless haven at North Avenue Station. - Public Transportation Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

riding marta is just a below average experience all the time. i take Marta 3 days a week. i can't tell you if the marta has been on time at all so far 2025. i religiously ride the gold and red lines read more

If I could give 0 I would. Trains not on time and not following schedule. Atlanta please do better , we deserve better.