It isn’t breaking news that Metro Atlanta’s population is booming. Recent estimates from the Atlanta Regional Commission predict our region will grow to 8 million residents by 2040. With more people come more drivers, busier roads, longer commutes, and worsening congestion. For a city that consistently ranks in the top 10 for traffic—and as one of the most challenging to navigate by car—this problem is only going to intensify.
MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood
But with challenges come opportunities, and that’s why MARTA is focused on investing in and building for the future of transportation across our region. We’re committed to delivering a clean, safe, and reliable transit experience for our riders, addressing Atlanta’s growth head-on while helping ease the burden on our roadways.
When it comes to solving our region’s transportation and infrastructure challenges, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. MARTA is proud to be a key partner in a collaborative, comprehensive approach to meeting these growing demands. Transit is a critical piece of that puzzle, offering benefits that extend far beyond those who ride our buses and trains.
The Economic Power of Transit
Every dollar invested in public transit generates roughly $5 in economic returns. That’s because businesses, workers, and local economies all thrive when transit connects communities. More and more, companies looking to establish headquarters or major facilities are looking for locations near transit hubs, responding to employee preferences for commute flexibility. One example is in the Sandy Springs and Dunwoody areas, where a number of local economic development leaders have reiterated that prospective employees consistently rank access to transit as one of their deciding factors in the recruitment process. MARTA’s transit infrastructure continues to play a key role in attracting businesses to the metro area, cementing Atlanta’s position as an economic powerhouse.
MARTA also connects Atlanta to visitors from around the world. Our rail system provides a direct link to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the world, giving travelers a reliable, car-free option to reach the greater Metro area. And MARTA has long been an important partner for major events, from the 1996 Olympic Games to three Super Bowls, College Football Playoff Games, and multi-night concerts. Looking ahead, the investments we are making now will position MARTA to welcome the world again for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Super Bowl, and the countless other major events Atlanta will welcome in the future.
Reducing Congestion, Increasing Safety
Every MARTA rider means one less car on the road. That reduction in vehicles alleviates congestion and makes our region’s air cleaner—a benefit for all Atlantans and all Georgians. Public transit also provides a safer alternative to personal vehicles, with significantly fewer accidents per year. Traveling on fixed rail lines or in buses operated by trained professionals minimizes the risks associated with driving.
For those managing tight budgets, MARTA offers an economical option compared to rising gas prices, unpredictable fuel costs, and increasing auto insurance premiums, which surged by 26% in 2023 alone.
Preparing for a Growing Metro Atlanta and the Next Generation of Transit
MARTA is already delivering on its promise to modernize and expand for the future. Our system is undergoing its largest transformation since its founding. Beginning next year, we will be rolling out brand new, state-of-the-art rail cars, delivering a world-class experience to our riders. We also recently unveiled a redesigned NextGen bus network with better routes and service to match the rapidly growing and shifting population trends in the Metro area. We are also in the process of a $1 billion station rehabilitation program, with successful renovation projects at the Airport, Brookhaven, and Indian Creek Stations completed, with more on the way. We are currently in the process of developing advanced fare gates and enhanced tap-to-pay capabilities, making commutes on MARTA even faster, more reliable, and more seamless.
Five Points Station—located in the heart of downtown and serving as the central hub of our system—is benefitting from this station rehabilitation program, and next year will begin undergoing a large scale, $250 million overhaul. This project was possible thanks in large part to investments from our state and federal leaders, who have been instrumental partners toward improving transit across our region.
Our expansion efforts are equally ambitious. Our Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines will increase access to underserved areas, and innovative partnerships with GDOT will integrate transit into new express lanes along I-285 and Georgia 400, extending MARTA’s reach and impact. Construction on MARTA Rapid Summerhill, the first bus rapid transit in the region, is well underway, and we are planning Rapid routes along the Clifton Corridor, Campbellton Road and in Clayton County, with a potential extension up Georgia Highway 400.
A Future Worth Building
As Atlanta’s population continues to grow, transit will become even more critical to our shared success. MARTA is not just keeping pace with this growth; we’re preparing for it every day, rising to the occasion to ensure that transportation remains a cornerstone of our region’s economy, sustainability, and quality of life.
The future of Metro Atlanta depends on a robust, reliable transit system. At MARTA, we’re building that future today.
Collie Greenwood is the general manager and CEO of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
