FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2025
MARTA ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES IN FEBRUARY FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON NEXTGEN BUS NETWORK
ATLANTA - The
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is offering more than 30
opportunities for the public to participate in virtual and in-person meetings
in 2025 as part of its unveiling of the draft NextGen Bus Network plan.
This strategic
redesign of over 100 bus routes intends to deliver a smarter, faster, and
better network to meet the evolving needs of the region. Comments and insights
gathered during the public engagement period will help refine the draft
network.
The 2025 public
meetings kicked off with an open house at MARTA headquarters on Saturday, Jan.
25. Throughout the engagement period, MARTA will offer a variety of in-person
and virtual meeting options, including convenient virtual “lunch and learn”
sessions tailored to midday schedules.
The upcoming
public meetings include:
Event
|
Date & Time
|
Location
|
North
Fulton Lunch and Learn
|
Feb. 3, 2025, Noon
|
Virtual
|
City
of Atlanta In-Person Meeting
|
Feb. 4, 2025, Noon
|
C.T. Martin Natatorium,
3201 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30311
|
DeKalb
County In-Person Meeting
|
Feb. 4, 2025, Noon
|
Gresham Park Recreation Center, 3113 Gresham Rd S E,
Atlanta, GA 30316
|
DeKalb
County Lunch & Learn
|
Feb. 5, 2025, Noon
|
Virtual
|
South
Fulton In-Person Meeting
|
Feb. 6, 2025, Noon
|
Conley Recreation Center, 3636 College St, College Park,
GA 30337
|
DeKalb
County In-Person Meeting
|
Feb. 6, 2025
6 p.m.
|
Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Pkwy Suite 350, Tucker,
GA 30084
|
North
Fulton In-Person Meeting
|
Feb. 6, 2025
6 p.m.
|
Dorothy Benson Senior Center (Bldg. B), 6500 Vernon Woods
Dr NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
|
DeKalb
County Lunch & Learn
|
Feb. 7, 20205
noon
|
Virtual
|
System-Wide
Virtual Meeting
|
Feb. 8, 2025
10:30 a.m.
|
Virtual
|
“The NextGen Bus
Network is a transformative initiative built on equity and inclusive community
engagement, marking a pivotal step in modernizing our transit system to meet
the region’s rapid growth and evolving travel needs,” said MARTA General
Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “We invite everyone to join the conversation.
Your feedback—whether as a rider, resident, or stakeholder—will play a vital
role in shaping and refining the NextGen Bus Network to better serve our
communities throughout the Atlanta region.”
For the
complete schedule of public meetings and to RSVP, please visit https://bit.ly/martanextgen.
Additionally, an online survey
provides an accessible option to share their feedback on the proposed network
changes. All comments and survey responses will be accepted through March 9,
ensuring every voice is heard before implementation.
To learn more about the proposed NextGen Bus Network and access the online
survey, please visit MARTANextGenBusNetwork.com.
The NextGen Bus
Network reflects MARTA’s long-term vision for a more equitable and efficient
transit system that prioritizes access to jobs, education, essential services,
and stronger community connections. Key proposed service enhancements include
increased frequent service routes, enhanced job accessibility, and new,
on-demand service zones that meet the diverse needs of lower-density areas.
The Atlanta region
continues to experience unprecedented growth, with evolving travel needs and
rising demand for flexible transit solutions. These shifts underscore the need
for the NextGen Bus Network, designed to accommodate the region’s rapidly
changing landscape and improve connectivity to destinations, job centers, and
other essential services.
NextGen Bus
Network: Smarter. Better. Faster.
The NextGen Bus
Network will provide greater access to more jobs, destinations, and
opportunities by:
- Expanding frequent service
areas from five corridors to 18, making it easier for riders to reach
their destinations.
- Increasing 20-minute service
routes from nine existing routes to 13 planned routes for shorter wait
times and quicker trips.
- Adding 12, new, on-demand
service zones, offering flexible transit solutions for communities with
lower population density.
- Providing seven-day-a-week
service on all routes and on-demand zones, eliminating peak-only service
hours to meet riders’ diverse schedules.
- Streamlining fixed bus routes
from 113 to 79 to create a simpler and more navigable network, with
minimal impact on current service areas.
- Offering greater accessibility
for residents and workers, with 95,000 more people and 103,000 additional
jobs within close reach of frequent transit service that runs every 15
minutes or better. Additionally, 143,200 more residents will have access
to service running every 30 minutes or better.
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