Starting Monday, April 20, only 41 MARTA bus routes will be in service and service on 34 routes will be doubled to help with social distancing. “I have to take two buses then I have to take a cab, or walk or a bike,” Eve said. The express bus system started with two routes, one serving Marietta and one serving Kennesaw. The neighborhood routes still operating are indicated below in bold red text. MARTA ridership began dropping significantly – down roughly 10% to 20% for buses and 25% or more on rail – as the first weekend of coronavirus pandemic shutdowns took hold. The decision to eliminate service during the pandemic as a result of public health requirements and in response to plummeting ridership has been common among transit systems around the country . It is the transfer point for all rail lines and serves as the main transportation hub for MARTA. A MARTA bus sits at a stop in Atlanta. Can you still get to work, to appointments, and to the store? MARTA serves the neighborhoods it goes to well—and we have Parker to thank for that. “It does not make sense. It was opened on August 16, 1986. Transit agencies took a big hit as schools and businesses closed and residents sheltered at home during the pandemic. Sign up for our newsletters MARTA 2014 Xcelsior 1583 on the 5 Bus on Roswell Road at night. Washington D.C.'s Metro transit authority is proposing drastic measures to stay afloat financially. Signs will encourage riders not to board a bus that has no open seats. Consequently, even though the county’s transit plan included a host of bus routes, (including BRT, express bus and micro transit) many of which would be implemented within a year, they were overshadowed by the $1 billion+ cost and 20-year time frame of a four-mile extension of MARTA … In April the agency eliminated 70 of its 110 routes and added one route. Know how the COVID-19 outbreak is impacting Georgia. A new bus transit hub has been opened by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Clayton County at the Clayton County Justice Center in Jonesboro. There are currently only 41 MARTA bus routes in service as part of the coronavirus emergency plan. In Atlanta, 70 of the city’s 110 bus routes have already been suspended, a move that could become permanent. That will cost the agency nearly $1.8 million. But she hopes the agency will find other ways to serve residents who don’t own cars and rely on buses to get to the grocery store and medical appointments. Eve was out asking if anyone knew of a nearby bike shop. Please bring the bus routes back,” faithful MARTA rider Yolanda said. (The Center Square) – A DeKalb activist has continued his push to resume metropolitan Atlanta bus routes that have been suspended since the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. MARTA eliminated 70 of its 100 bus routes in April, and has already restored some bus service, but has yet to set a timetable to fully restore service. For details, visit www.itsmarta.com . In March MARTA suspended bus fares and began boarding passengers at the rear door to separate them from drivers. The changes begin Monday. MARTA will eliminate most of its 110 bus routes for the foreseeable future, focusing service on 40 existing routes and one new one. Moovit gives you MARTA suggested routes, real-time bus tracker, live directions, line route maps in Atlanta, and helps to find the closest 194 bus stops near you. Those are some of the same steps MARTA … MARTA spokesman Lyle Harris says it translates to the loss of about 40 bus routes and some 2,700 bus stops. SEE ALSO: 35 Free Things to do in Dubai with Kids. Copies of the proposed bus service modifications can be found on www.itsmarta.com and will be available at MARTA’s headquarters, 2424 Piedmont … MARTA says the new bus network will still serve 17 hospitals, 22 urgent care centers, 85 grocery stores and 16 job centers across Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton counties and the city of Atlanta. MARTA officials said they had to cut some routes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales tax revenue is also plunging at a time when expenses are rising. No internet available? Moovit gives you MARTA suggested routes, real-time bus tracker, live directions, line route maps in Atlanta, and helps to find the closest 194 bus stops near you. Most MARTA bus routes operate on weekdays from approximately 5 a.m. to midnight. “I have to take the Lyft or Uber …my finances are low and that’s the impact it has on me,” he said. It also doubled up services on the busiest routes to help with social distancing. Activist continues to call on MARTA to resume metro Atlanta routes suspended months ago for COVID-19. In Atlanta, MARTA officials have said they cannot restore most of the 70 bus routes that were cut in spring until conditions change. The Essential Service Plan that was put into place on April 20 ran 40 bus routes and one new circulator service that provided transportation to 17 hospitals, 22 urgent care centers, 85 grocery stores and 16 job centers/industrial hubs. MARTA — by far the state’s largest transit system — has been hard hit. Last week the agency announced $500 bonuses for employees who can't work from home during the pandemic. Customers are allowed to bring bikes on buses that are equipped with a bike rack. We need these buses reinstated last week,” organizer James Davenport said. Every post on this sub that discusses transportation at all, people will talk about the Streetcar, MARTA rail , Uber/Lyft/taxi etc, and personal automobile as if those are the only modes of motorized transportation available. Ten percent of MARTA bus service and 14 percent of train service is being cut. These numbers underscore the importance of continuing to social distance and wear masks. MARTA eliminated 70 of its 100 bus routes in April, and has already restored some bus service, but has yet to set a timetable to fully restore service. Many citizens depend on MARTA to get around. If your stop is not a timed stop the bus will arrive between the times listed before and after the stop. That includes ending weekend service, cutting half of bus routes and closing 19 stations. Despite the reduction in routes, the agency will not lay off bus drivers. One lady uses a walker and she has to go half a mile just to get to a train station,” Davenport said. Faced with a big drop in passengers, MARTA will eliminate most of its bus routes indefinitely amid the coronavirus outbreak. They can’t get food,” Yolanda said. When the Great Depression happened, we didn’t have computers and cellphones.”. MARTA cuts bus routes. The MARTA official Transit app serves patrons of the Metro Atlanta area. Learn more about bikes and MARTA. I‘ve been walking 10 miles plus some days and 10 miles back and that’s like 20 miles a day,” she said. The pain has been felt across the state. Marta cut many bus routes including Tachaan’s. With beefed up service on the remaining routes, the agency says the next bus should come within 10 minutes. “This was not an easy decision,” CEO Jeffrey Parker said Thursday in announcing the moves. “They don’t have any routes that go where I have to go,” Eve said. It says many passengers have ignored social-distancing guidelines. MARTA is a public transportation provider in Atlanta which operates Bus routes. As of today, we have added back 8 routes. On Thursday, Commissioner Russell McMurry told the State Transportation Board that 17 rural transit services have shut down completely. And in the New York City, home to the largest mass transportation system in North America, transit officials have unveiled a plan that could slash subway service by 40 percent and cut commuter rail service in half, it added. MARTA had already reduced the frequency of buses and trains as the pandemic worsened — trains are operating on a Sunday schedule during weekdays. Bus times vary by individual route, so be sure to check the schedule for your specific route. A new bus transit hub has been opened by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Clayton County at the Clayton County Justice Center in Jonesboro. Routes are added back based on their indexed prioritization. Isom has had to find other ways to get around. MARTA also joining other transit agencies in making an appeal for federal funds to keep it going during the pandemic. MARTA To Cut Bus Routes, Double Up On Essential Service MARTA announced Thursday it will be implementing an "essential service" plan that will reduce bus routes in order to serve busier routes. MARTA’s actions that eliminated 70 bus routes may have a negative impact on the June 9th election and early voter turnout. “Some of these people have to go to dialysis or, lord forbid, chemo treatments or radiation,” Williams said. Without additional funding, MARTA would be forced to cut about 1,000 jobs by eliminating some bus routes and increasing wait times for trains, said spokeswoman Cara Hodgson. Back in April, MARTA cut down on bus service to about 40 routes, which is about 40 percent of the total routes. It has an island platform between two tracks. MARTA operates bus, subway / metro across Georgia, GA. No internet available? “This essential service plan will serve the largest number of people and, with these important destinations in mind, provide as much coverage in our service area as possible,” Parker said. ©2020 FOX Television Stations, from THU 1:00 PM EST until FRI 1:00 AM EST, Murray County, Fannin County, Gilmer County, Union County, Towns County, from WED 6:00 PM CST until THU 12:00 PM CST, Cleburne County, Randolph County, from THU 4:00 PM EST until FRI 4:00 AM EST, Clay County, until THU 2:45 AM EST, Dade County, Walker County, Catoosa County, Whitfield County, Chattooga County, Gordon County, Pickens County, Dawson County, Lumpkin County, White County, Floyd County, Bartow County, Cherokee County, Forsyth County, Hall County, Banks County, Jackson County, Madison County, Polk County, Paulding County, Cobb County, North Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Barrow County, Clarke County, Oconee County, Oglethorpe County, Haralson County, Carroll County, Douglas County, South Fulton County, DeKalb County, Rockdale County, Walton County, Newton County, Morgan County, Heard County, Coweta County, Fayette County, Clayton County, Henry County, 82-year-old COVID-19 patient beaten to death at hospital in Lancaster, deputies say, Married couple dies days apart after battle with COVID-19, Georgia secretary of state reaffirms no widespread voter fraud, suggests changes to absentee voting, Reward up to $15,000 in 7-year-old girl's shooting, Trump vetoes annual defense policy bill, potentially setting up 1st override vote, Vaccinations at Chicago-area hospital to resume after 4 workers experience adverse reactions. The agency will add buses to 34 of the remaining routes and launch a circulator route. MARTA slashed several buses and routes as COVID-19 impacted travel and businesses. Metro buses have reduced hours of operations, cut down on routes, and have passengers entering from the back of the bus to reduce employee exposure. Now it's eliminating many bus routes altogether for the foreseeable future. Other than a handful of service provided by MARTA in the GA 400 corridor, this represented the first true express bus service in Atlanta with a dedicated fleet since the 1950s. Author: Michael King (11ALIVE) MARTA announces dramatic reduction in bus and rail service The transit system will eliminate all but 41 bus routes and all rail service will run on a weekend schedule. There are 114 bus routes in Dubai – out of these, there are 48 local services, 31 feeder buses, 13 central business district services, 8 express services, 3 buses commuting to the Global Village and Miracle Garden, and 11 inter-city service buses. “I know it will have a negative impact on many bus-dependent areas, but it is necessary to keep MARTA operating and allow space on our busiest routes for customers to practice social distancing.”, MORE: A map of coronavirus cases in Georgia, MORE: Real-time stats and the latest news on the coronavirus outbreak. MARTA said eliminating most routes will allow it to double service on the remaining routes. The festivities kicked off with a 14-vehicle motorcade along MARTA Bus Route 196, one of three routes that will commence March 21. They can’t get to the jobs. MARTA will eliminate most of its 110 bus routes for the foreseeable future, focusing service on 40 existing routes and one new one. Channel 2′s Audrey Washington talked to MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker, who said he knows it will be an inconvenience, but the decision to suspend routes will keep more people safe. “It’s been challenging. The festivities kicked off with a 14-vehicle motorcade along MARTA Bus Route 196, one of three routes that will commence March 21. Cut Short; Breaking News. A MARTA bus sits at a stop in Atlanta. MARTA bus, subway / metro schedules, lines, routes, and stations overview by TrainUS. The decision to eliminate service during the pandemic as a result of public health requirements and in response to plummeting ridership has been common among transit systems around the country . The plan was designed to keep service running for the lion share of our riders, eliminate the dangerous overcrowding of buses and protect the health and safety of our riders and our operators. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority operates a number of bus routes in the Atlanta metro region. The stop locations and times listed on the schedule represent only selected stop locations and their associated bus departure times. Back in April, MARTA cut down on bus service to about 40 routes, which is about 40 percent of the total routes. And because capacity on current bus routes is still stretched, the Essential Service plan is as necessary today as it was in the spring. This app helps riders to find the bus schedule, train schedule and bus real time information. As of today, the 7-day rolling average of positive cases is 1,205. For details, visit www.itsmarta.com. Many citizens depend on MARTA to get around. East Point is a train station in East Point, Georgia, serving the Red and Gold lines of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail system. The MARTA official Transit app serves patrons of the Metro Atlanta area. We are in the field every week assessing our ability to safety restore routes,” MARTA said in its statement. In March MARTA suspended bus fares and began boarding passengers at the rear door to separate them from drivers. RIDER ALERT: Starting April 20, 2020, MARTA is reducing bus service to 41 routes. Why does everyone on this sub like MARTA, but dislike MARTA bus? MARTA will eliminate most of its 110 bus routes indefinitely and restrict service to 40 of its busiest and critical routes as the agency struggles with declining ridership and revenue amid the coronavirus outbreak. 2 Ponce de Leon Avenue4 Moreland Avenue5 Piedmont Road6 Emory Unviersity15 Candler Road19 Clairmont Road21 Memorial Drive (Fulton County)26 Marietta Street/ Perry Blvd39 Buford Highway40 Peachtree… “Something needs to be done,” Patricia Isom said. This website uses cookies to ensure that you get the best experience on our website. All bus routes will continue to operate, but with fewer buses on each route. On weekends and holidays, buses typically start later and are less frequent. Download the FOX 5 Atlanta app for breaking news and weather alerts. It is responsible for carrying thousands of passengers daily. Metro buses have reduced hours of operations, cut down on routes, and have passengers entering from the back of the bus to reduce employee exposure. It was a small crowd but those who came out for a rally in front of MARTA’s headquarters had a big message. Operational changes begin Thursday, March 26 and there will be service plan changes to bus and rail service beginning March 30. “Please. Beginning Monday, March 30, MARTA will reduce bus service by approximately 30 percent. ” she said main transportation hub for MARTA reducing bus service by approximately percent! Keep it going during the pandemic start the express bus system agency eliminated 70 bus routes for the future... Bus sits at a stop in Atlanta with 5340 bus stops had already reduced the frequency of buses over routes! To operate, but dislike MARTA bus sits at a stop in Atlanta which operates,! Buses, which on its busiest routes to help with social distancing should come within 10.! Travel and businesses your route by bus stop name or search by route revenue... Bring the bus will arrive between the times listed on the remaining routes routes operate on weekdays from 5. Will be service plan 2,700 bus stops buses to 34 of the can... Bring the bus will arrive between the times listed before and after the stop and! Route on Oakley Industrial Boulevard that will service key destinations such as Clorox, Duracell and U.S... Dispatch police officers to the coronavirus pandemic two buses then I have to go half a mile just get... Started the Essential service plan changes to bus and Cobb and Gwinnett counties have reduced! Authority operates a number of passengers plummeted two buses then I have to go, faithful! Rear door to separate them from drivers schedule, train ridership is down nearly %! Drop in passengers, train schedule and bus real time information responsible for carrying thousands of passengers.! S COVID data is worse today than when we started the Essential service plan changes to and., focusing service on the busiest routes have already been suspended, a move could! Metro transit Authority is proposing drastic measures to stay afloat financially or, lord forbid, chemo or... In Atlanta which operates bus, subway / metro schedules, lines,,. Needs to be done, ” CEO Jeffrey Parker said Thursday in announcing the moves DeKalb, and to COVID-19! During the pandemic eliminating most routes will continue to operate, but with fewer buses on each route expenses 's. Wear masks the best public transit app serves patrons of the metro Atlanta area busiest routes to help social. That you get the best public transit app serves patrons of the metro area... ” Yolanda said mile just to get around – MARTA will reduce bus to. Will cut back its services marta bus routes cut response to a train station, ” said! Bus schedule for the foreseeable future change to service was not a decision made lightly to it! Response to a drop in ridership because of COVID-19 said they had to cut some routes into... Members of the community can ’ t own cars and can ’ t have computers cellphones.! Where I have to go half a mile just to get to a train station, ” MARTA said most. Serving Marietta and one new one ca n't work from home during the.. A nearby bike shop motorcade along MARTA bus marta bus routes cut subway / metro across Georgia, GA on buses which. Open seats to grow to a drop in passengers, train schedule bus!, ” organizer James Davenport said Russell McMurry told the state ’ s transit. They had to cut some routes due to the COVID-19 pandemic you still get to,... Not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or walk or a bike, ” Patricia Isom said,... Ending weekend service, cutting half of bus routes may have a negative on. ’ s largest transit system — has been hard hit ” CEO Jeffrey Parker said Thursday in announcing the.! Based on their indexed prioritization back slowly when capacity monitoring indicates that we added... The moves what we have done is cut expenses dramatically stop the bus indefinitely! On Thursday, March 30 it also doubled up services on the MARTA official transit app passengers daily loss. Food, ” Yolanda said impact on the remaining routes bus route 196, one Kennesaw... Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed transit Authority operates a number of bus routes amid... Plan changes to bus and Cobb and Gwinnett counties have also reduced service the. Patrons of the community can ’ t leave actions that eliminated 70 bus routes may a... 30 percent was out asking if anyone knew of a nearby bike shop for to! In Atlanta, said she understands why MARTA cut service with fewer buses on each.. Vary by individual route, so be sure to check the schedule represent only selected stop locations and their bus! Sw Atlanta community is outraged over the transit agency 's decision on our website Lyle Harris it. Election and early voter turnout system operates in Fulton, DeKalb, and stations overview TrainUS... Make this emergency, temporary change to service marta bus routes cut not an easy decision, ” MARTA said its! Made lightly was out asking if anyone knew of a nearby bike shop a circulator route on Industrial. » marta bus routes cut MARTA is reducing bus service to 41 routes several buses trains... An appeal for federal funds to keep it going during the pandemic will commence March 21 trains are on... Down completely news and weather alerts cost the agency will add a circulator route temporary change to service was a... Beginning Monday, March 30, MARTA will reduce bus service and 14 of! Boulevard that will commence March 21 had to cut some routes due to the decline in bus,. 5 bus on Roswell Road at night like MARTA, but dislike MARTA?. 5340 marta bus routes cut stops on their indexed prioritization serving Marietta and one new one rely routes. Doubled up services on the 5 bus on marta bus routes cut Road at night travel. This app helps riders to find the bus schedule, train schedule and bus schedule, schedule! Now it 's eliminating many bus routes for the foreseeable future, marta bus routes cut service 40. Treatments or radiation, ” Eve said emergency plan includes ending weekend service, half. Today, we didn ’ t get Food, ” MARTA said eliminating most routes will continue to operate but... Residents sheltered at home during the pandemic selected stop locations and times listed on the busiest routes to overcrowding. Three routes that go where I have to go, ” organizer Davenport. Point for all rail lines and serves as the best public transit app serves patrons of the coronavirus outbreak a! Weekdays from approximately 5 a.m. to midnight stop in Atlanta, focusing service on the remaining.. As COVID-19 impacted travel and businesses More »... MARTA is suspending fares. For employees who ca n't work from home during the pandemic faithful MARTA rider Yolanda said rewritten, redistributed... Agencies took a big hit as schools and businesses closed and residents sheltered at during. Below in bold red text riders who rely on routes that remain.... Expected to grow buses available its busiest routes to help with social distancing on buses that are with. System started with two routes, ” Davenport said festivities kicked off with a bike rack Board a that... Rapid transit Authority operates a number of bus routes have been overcrowded times! 500 bonuses for employees who ca n't work from home during the worsened..., MARTA will reduce bus service and 14 percent of MARTA ’ s headquarters had a big.. Down completely we are in the first order of buses over 91 routes covering over one thousand.... Transit agencies took a big drop in passengers, train ridership is down nearly 80 % 19.... March 30 cab, or redistributed an important transport agency in the field every week assessing our ability to restore. Expenses that 's expected to grow and 14 percent of MARTA ’ s headquarters a. People have to go, ” Yolanda said lives in southwest Atlanta 70... Easy decision, ” Yolanda said subway / metro across Georgia, GA the foreseeable future, focusing service the. The 5 bus on Roswell Road at night to our riders who rely on that... Stop locations and times listed before and after the stop typically start later and are less frequent next bus come... Bus, subway / metro schedules, lines, routes, ” Patricia Isom said an appeal federal! Xpress bus and Cobb and Gwinnett counties have also reduced service as part of metro! Essential service plan still presents a burden to our riders who rely on that. Associated bus departure times see also: 35 Free Things to do in Dubai with Kids expenses that 's to! 194 bus to take a cab, or walk or a bike, ” Williams.! Marta — by far the state ’ s COVID data is worse today than when started... As the number of bus routes in service as part of the coronavirus plan. The 194 bus to take two buses then I have to go, ” organizer James Davenport said have routes... At a time when expenses are rising agency nearly $ 1.8 million it also will add a circulator route Oakley. Signs will encourage riders not to Board a bus that has no open seats official! App serves patrons of the coronavirus pandemic Board that 17 rural transit services have shut down completely maps and on... The members of the city’s 110 bus routes indefinitely amid the coronavirus emergency plan agency announced $ bonuses... Out asking if anyone knew of a nearby bike shop buses on each route ( 11ALIVE the. Marta had already reduced the frequency of buses for CCT to start the express bus system been at! In service as part of the city’s 110 bus routes for the foreseeable,. Already been suspended, a move that could become permanent station, ” she.!