FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2020
MARTA INVESTS IN BUS SAFETY FEATURES, RESUMES FRONT DOOR BOARDING, ONBOARD FARE COLLECTION
Bus Operator Shields, Antimicrobial Air Filters Allow for Return of Front Door Boarding
ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has invested approximately $250,000 in bus safety features to further protect the health of employees and customers and allow for the resumption of front door boarding and onboard fare collection beginning Monday, September 7.
MARTA has outfitted its entire fleet of 539 buses with polycarbonate shields around bus operator cabs, antimicrobial air filters that clean the air onboard, and mask dispensers.
“At the onset of this health crisis, MARTA implemented operational adjustments such as rear door boarding to limit contact between operators and customers. Our most recent safety measures, installing bus operator shields and air filters, allow us to return to front door boarding and onboard fare collection,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “We are grateful to our customers for continuing to mask up and social distance, and we remain committed to making MARTA a clean, safe place for everyone who relies on essential transit service.”
Every MARTA bus now has antimicrobial air filters that remove viruses and other airborne pathogens from the circulated air onboard and a tissue-like mask dispenser mounted near the front door. For additional customer convenience, MARTA Transit Ambassadors continue to distribute masks at rail stations and bus bays throughout the system. To date, MARTA has handed out 459,000 masks.
To assist with the boarding process, customers should have fare ready and enter the bus through the front doors and exit through the rear doors. Customers requiring the accessibility ramp should continue entering and exiting through the front door. Beginning Monday, September 7, all bus customers must have fare and wear a mask in order to ride MARTA.
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