MARTA riders push for more reliable buses and better stops
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Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios. Photo: MARTA
MARTA riders are sounding off in a new report about "ghost buses," waiting in the rain and other frustrations.
Why it matters: MARTA bus ridership still hasn't recovered from pre-pandemic levels.
- To get people on board, Propel ATL's "Voices From the Bus" rider survey says, the service must be reliable, pleasant and efficient.
Zoom in: Riders expressed frustration at having to wait at a bus stop without shelter when buses were late or full during peak service.
How it works: The survey of 900 regular riders was conducted between March and July 2024. Participants responded in English and Spanish.
What they're saying: Rider responses underscore how important bus service is to people who depend on transit to access their job.
- "I have to leave my house two hours before my shift starts just to make sure I get there on time," one person said. "If one bus is late or canceled, I could lose my job."
Stunning stat: 77% of MARTA bus stops lack a bench or shelter, according to the report.
The big picture: Buses come with lower costs and less political and community uproar than rail, and Atlanta is investing in premium bus service in high-demand areas.
- To make the bus service more successful, Propel is recommending MARTA make buses run every 10 to 15 minutes, upgrade bus stops, build bus-only lanes and use contactless fare collection.
What's next: MARTA plans to address many of the issues with the April 2026 roll out of a redesigned bus network that will increase frequency and reliability.
- The agency also plans to launch a tap-to-pay system and unveil a new website that same month, an agency spokesperson told Axios.