FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
April 21, 2021
MARTA TO RESTORE BUS
ROUTES SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19 ON SATURDAY, APRIL 24TH
Customers Should Plan for Service Frequency Changes on Many
Routes
ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid
Transit Authority (MARTA) will restore 58 previously suspended bus routes on
Saturday, April 24, and implement service frequency adjustments to match the
reduced demand in ridership and address bus capacity limitations. MARTA
suspended 70 of its 110 bus routes last spring as the COVID-19 pandemic was
intensifying and the need for maintaining social distance was paramount to
reducing the spread of the virus. Twelve routes were reinstated as conditions
allowed.
“We understand the reduction in bus routes
created a hardship for many of our customers, and we are appreciative of their
patience as we balanced providing a service with protecting public health,”
said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “While returning these
routes means returning a sense of normalcy for many customers, it does come
with a change to service frequency to account for reduced ridership. To align
with current health recommendations, we are limiting bus capacity to seated
loads only, no standing or crush loads, and extra buses will be on standby to
be placed into service to minimize overcrowding.”
Masks are still required on MARTA and available through a mask
dispenser located near the front door, or from an operator when dispensers are
running low. All buses are also equipped with Bipolar Ionization air filters
that eliminate airborne pathogens and deliver clean air every 75 seconds. MARTA
will evaluate ridership demand over the next several months and once COVID
safety restrictions are lifted, look at returning to pre-COVID service
frequency later this year.
Customers are encouraged to view the new schedules before planning
their next trip. Visit https://www.itsmarta.com/servicerestoration.aspx to view schedules based on restored
routes, adjusted routes, and routing changes.
For real-time service alerts follow
@MARTAservice on Twitter or download the MARTA On The Go app.
###