The train system (although severely limited) is not bad. The bus system SUCKS! The closest train stations to me do not have parking, so in order to get to the train, I have to take the bus. The buses are the reason I don't use the system much. They are not ever on time and they are not very frequent. The schedules printed on-line are largely worthless. The bus system isn't used because it isn't convenient and it isn't convenient because it isn't used. read more

the MARTA provides an excellent way to get around Atlanta. The trains are quick, comfortable and keep a pretty pedictable schedule. Whatever minor issues there are with Marta (nothing is perfect) they pale in comparison to the hassel and expense of downtown parking and driving into and out of the city. When in Atl for trade shows I find it simple and inexpensive option to stay in the Perimeter Mall area, purchase a 1 week pass for $15, use the Dunwoody station which provides free parking in a safe secure parking deck. For my time and money, MARTA is an outstanding choice. read more

I moved here long ago from a small Georgia town that still thinks public transit is a novelty. I could not have survived at times without MARTA. I am very pro-public/mass transit and a big fan of MARTA. I am most disappointed with MARTA when I return from a place with better public transit: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Chicago, Madrid, Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, D.C.. All of these places have public transit options that make a person long for real, grown-up public transit options in metro Atlanta. In conclusion, use it as much as possible, support MARTA, vote for MARTA funding, and be a squeaky wheel for MARTA expansion, but don't settle for it as is. read more

For two weeks marta train station has been a nightmare, thursday it took us 45 to a hour to get from the Chamblee Station to the Lindberg Station there were hundred of stranded customers waiting on the northbound train to the perimeter mall. No one wanted to help us, the Marta employees at the train station were rude. Last week the same thing happen and customers were stranded last week we call and the employee stated that customer service was closed, we would just have to wait for the Northbound train and hung up. This is unacceptable! The #33 bus that leaves from the Lenox Station going to the Chamblee Station is always late, the bus driver talks all the time to the customers and we miss are train all the time. He gets to the access rode at 08:09am! Marta has went up on the prices and the services are worst, unprofessional employees who needs to realized that we pay for there salaries. And the NO SMOKING sign is a joke, even the employees are smoking on the platforms at the Chamblee St and the Lindberg Station, If you need money that bad why don't you start having high fines for the smokers! How about all the marta customers get together and strike and not ride Marta for a day, and see how they feel with no customers, maybe they will try to be more accomdating to there customers. Not to mention some of you ignorant customer whom think that black folks are going to come into your neighborhoods break into your homes take your flat screen tv's and get back on the train or bus, are you serious. So therefore you don't want the trains to come to your area, are you that F!!! stupid, are you serious! But when it comes to the braves games, the train and buses are running on time, have you seen all the drunk disgusting, stinky customers on the train? Where are the marta police at? On there cellphones or at the donut shops, or breakrooms doing nothing! read more

Signs said Doraville but when I got on the 11:28P train, it read and announced North Springs. I got on because most passengers, confused and bewildered, felt they had a better chance to be on a train where the unedjamacated operator had their head up their arse. Fortunately, we lucked out. As a traveler, MARTA needs to get its act together! read more

Great public transit. Coming from LA, I experienced the value of a good system. $2.50 to get from the airport to my hotel instead of $34 for a cab. No brainer right? read more

MARTA is no NYC subway, but from the Airport to downtown it can't be beat. Cheap, fast, clean, easy!

Marta - thank you for getting me to and from the airport when none of my siblings or friends are available. You're fast and easy, usually clean, and I've personally always felt safe when I'm with you - in short, you've got everything i look for in a relationship! read more

Cheap and easy. we're fans using it to and from the airport during the day. much like NYC travel and the kids love it.

Trains are OK, not always the best time-wise. They "single track" so often you might as well forget getting timely train service on any weekend. Bus service is abysmal. Hardly ever on schedule, sometimes numerous buses that were scheduled fail to appear. Even using their app on smartphone, buses don't follow the schedule. If you need to be somewhere at a certain time, forget MARTA and use Uber or Lyft. read more

I think some of the train drivers get a perverse joy shutting doors on people when they are at the door.

Easy to use and ride UNLESS you are going to North Springs from the airport after 8pm. They change service after that time, which is fine if you let out of town travelers know.. I waited for a red line train as the yellow lines pulled away. Then, at 845p, a worker sets up a sign that says to take the yellow line and transfer. It take the yellow line and get off at the 5 points station to "transfer to all other trains" as it was announced on the train only to find out that you can't transfer to the red line there! All told I wasted 45 minutes. Please add more detailed information for your out of towners read more

I Love MARTA! Love it! I love working for Marta! It's Very Helpful and Saves You a Lot Of Gas And Quick and way better than Sitting In Atlanta Traffic Bumper To Bumper... Although it can be unsafe at times at different Stations which this world isn't really safe all the time either... But I highly recommend Marta..... And Who Knows I May Be Your Operator! read more

My wife and I recently boarded Marta at the airport (December 22). A Marta employee, (balding, somewhat overweight) was harassing young women passengers. Asking their age (!), telling them how pretty they were and then following them to the turnstiles to help when they had neither requested it or needed help. Clearly inappropriate. read more

Being a native New Yorker, I'm immediately drawn to public transportation, so I knew that I would check out MARTA while I was visiting Atlanta. I came to town for a Braves-Yankees game from Charlotte, NC and I didn't want to stay at a hotel downtown b/c of the headaches of parking, so I decided to stay at a hotel a little ways out that was near a MARTA station. I stayed at a hotel that was a block away from the Brookhaven-Oglethorpe station. We took the train to Five Points and used the Braves shuttle to get to Turner Field. The Braves shuttle buses were packed after the game and it didn't bother me a bit. I enjoy the big city feel, so I was loving it. My train back to the hotel was packed as well too, but once again, I didn't have a problem with it. I heard a lady talking to a friend on the train and she said "This train is too crowded...I could never live here." I kinda chuckled a little bit b/c I could live in Atlanta. MARTA served it's purpose while I was in town and i was able to get to all the places I wanted to visit using it. While it's unfair to compare MARTA to NYC Subway, it is an excellent system in the Atlanta Area. The screens in the stations that showed how long it takes for a train to come were pretty accurate, the trains and the stations are very clean and kept up pretty well, and what I was impressed with the most was how smooth the trains were. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars b/c MARTA doesn't run 24 hours, which makes it pretty hard to hang out late at night. You'll have to cut your night short in order to catch the last train if you're using MARTA to get home. Overall, I LOVE MARTA and I will continue to use it every time I visit Atlanta read more

Grudgingly adding to this place again just to update my MARTA review. My previous complaints have been addressed, and I've been riding MARTA nearly every work day for years with shockingly few complaints once management kicked into gear. And they have kicked into gear in a major way. Steady service improvements on the train lines, reliable (for me) buses, strong security presence during rush hour and even pretty good off-times, etc. MARTA is growing in ridership and income, enabling more improvements. I left the last star for the future... They'll be testing farm tables at a station soon... read more

Another public transit/subway system, where I'd thought I'd once written a review. Guess not. Anyway, it's a pretty clean system for the most part. One of those systems where sadly one can only imagine how better the subway system would've been, if suburban counties didn't oppose the construction of lines going out to those places. Wikipedia it up if you're curious to learn more(I'll add a proper URL later, relating to this), though I recall the cancelled plans would've included the south line going past Hartsfield Airport to at least Forest Park, GA, and a northwest line near north I-75 to just a little south of I-285. And the funding is also limited, because of Georgia state government. :( I've more ridden the trains than I have their buses(due to often getting rides from family or relatives), but my experience riding the buses was fine, the one or 2 times I once had to do that. Used to often drive to College Park(coming from Jonesboro, where my late grandmother lived) to catch the train into Atlanta, and myself and my family never had any bad experiences when we did that. The railcars and stations basically have the same kind of feel as what was used for BART in the San Francisco area, and Metro in the Washington, DC area. IIRC, those other 2 subway systems were also first constructed in the 70s. For what it is, and the history that led up to MARTA's situation today, I think it isn't bad. People often rip on MARTA, and I'm not sure why. Yeah it doesn't have the functionality or service levels of say the CTA in Chicago or MTA subway in NYC, but it's fine for Atlanta. Like BART in SF, this subway system always seems slightly cleaner than CTA in Chicago and MTA in NYC, and I'm not sure why. It'll be interesting to ride whenever I use it again, since they now have the Breeze Card system and ditched tokens(yep, that's how long it's been since I last rode...). read more

as of the writing of this review, i haven't ridden the bus (that escapade is yet to come) so i'm mainly referencing the red/yellow/blue/green lines. marta isn't terrible. i mean, it would be nice if it were a little more efficient. though, honestly, I've not been in a city where public transport is perfect...i'm looking at you with a side-eye, philly and new york. the following three reasons are why marta is getting extra points: (1) all the cars have been clean, AND they don't reek of feet. (2) passengers are actually friendly. in philly, on the el, you wouldn't DARE look at someone in the eye or acknowledge their presence but, on marta, I've had some pleasant conversations. (3) breeze cards! philly was still in the age of the dinosaur with tokens and cash only payments if you didn't purchase a transpass. read more

Marta is so overpriced and slow it's absurd. I wouldn't waste my time or money on it. Better off getting a cab if you have a short commute. 54 minutes from the Airport to Decatur seriously ? read more

MARTA works well for me when I come into town every year! Gets me from the airport to Midtown in no time, and the stations seem to be well placed, at least where I've needed them. I have experienced people asking for change and one of them reaked to high heaven... Not pleasant but what do you expect in the big city, but still a few more transit cops in the stations could deal with that. We don't seem to have that problem on the BART where I live in the SF bay area, and SF has more than it's share of homeless. Seats could be padded too. But you can't beat the price! and the breeze pass is very easy to use. read more

MARTA isn't perfect; like most things there is room for improvement. But it does for me what I need it to do. I think the trains are pretty clean. With the rates as they currently are, it is saving me money on my daily commute. I can't complain. read more

pretty easy to use, all public transpo can be cleaner, and in the rush hours...you see the police present. Nice job, Atlanta

Four stars for service from the airport to the city and Woofs! Cheap too!!!! Outside of that, I never ride MARTA. Much cleaner than the transportation my home city has to offer in San Francisco = Muni = SUCKS BIG TIME read more

Linburgh station, I never leave the platform since I only stop here to transfer to the red line. Wish they would run that red line all the time. As far as platforms go I would say it is a run of the mill platform. read more

The good: it worked for me. It seemed relatively on time and went where it said it would. The bad: it's crowded as hell. We had to watch 3 completely full trains go by at Peachtree Center before we finally made it onto the fourth. It emptied out about 90% of its occupants at the next stop. read more

MARTA is a joke. The service is very poor. Recently, I wanted to take a bus to the Amtrak station from the Arts Center station. One bus was over 25 minutes late, and still hadn't shown up. Another bus was over 10 minutes late, and still hadn't shown. So, I had to call a taxi and pay $10 instead so that I wouldn't miss my Amtrak train. I called customer service. They investigated the incident, but they never do anything to make it right. For instance, they don't seem truly sorry for the inconvenience you had to suffer, and they won't ever offer you any free tokens to compensate for the lack of service. Their attitude seems to be, "That's life!" Basically, all MARTA offers is excuses, not service. I do believe in public transportation, and when MARTA is working well, it's worth taking. But how often is that? read more

Coming from California and having used subway/trolley in LA and San Diego.: I only used the Marta trains, never the bus (except for direct to Turner Field). I used Marta train from the airport to 5 Points and found no problems. I also used Marta frequently to get around town and had no problems. I think like any city the only variable is the people. I was never bothered for money or felt in trouble. What I did find were some nice southern folk that was glad to help out with questions. The trains are clean and found no bothersome smells. There was a faint smell of urine when leaving 5 points on the stairs. The trains are clean and run on a frequent schedule. read more

Only three stars because it's not always reliable and downtown at night or during busy hours it can get dangerous with little to no police. Also, more recently $ has gone up but service isn't improving. read more

I road Marta almost exclusively for 4 years during the late 90s. I have been out of state for school and tending to family issues and will soon be moving back to Atlanta and I can't wait to ride Marta again! I think expectations are just way too high because things happen in life. Buses break down, people get drunk and pee, weirdos try to converse with you about the end of the world; whether Paris, Chicago, or Seattle, it happens ok? Once you've faced that reality, you can sit back and enjoy the ride, because 99% of the time the system does work and I got where I needed to be in a timely manner. And I'll continue to laugh at the people stuck on 400 (watch for me waving) when I get back home to Atlanta. Left off a star because of the reported Breeze problems, similar systems in other cities are flawless with Seattle's "orca" card a good example. I also hoped to see another line added in the 10 years I've been gone, but I guess the white folks of Cobb/Gwinnett still believe that black folks don't own cars and already ARE in your lily white suburbs, get over it ok?! read more

I love MARTA so much. Even though it doesn't go anywhere outside of the perimeter and it closes at 1 a.m, I love it. I think MARTA just needs more state funding and the people in the suburbs need to get there heads out of there asses. The trains are pretty clean and I always feel safe on it (although i just go north and east on it) MARTA has a ton of potential and has a bright future in my opinion. MARTA isn't perfect but thank god we have it. read more

MARTA is much more convenient than driving from north Atlanta down to the airport which only takes about 50 minutes. Parking is mostly covered and very close to the train - and a little cheaper than airport parking. I've only had one incident where the train stopped running, but they put us on a bus My only issue is the frequency of pan handlers. I see it on nearly every trip. Other than that, I will use MARTA instead of driving as much as I can - especially during rush hour. read more

Terrible post CFB Championship service. Multiple breakdowns. 1.5 hours to go 15 miles. Great times

MARTA is one of the worst public transportation systems ever. They're never on schedule or close to it. 85% of the bus drivers are rude and they change schedules every other day without notice. I had to give it 1 star for the review read more

The ONLY "good" thing about Marta, is that it's clean & provides jobs to ppl. As a method of transportation, only good for events & airport. Using Marta as daily transportation, is a risk. There is ALWAYS something causing serious delays, bus drivers are on average, unconcerned & often rude (some are downright spiteful...*I'm currently waiting to be in formed about the investigation of an incident with one of their bus drivers, that I had personally). For the price Marta charges per trip ($2.50 ea. way, $24 weekly), the frequency of delays, inability to stay on schedule and the turtles pace of service is unacceptable. If you are planning to be in Atlanta for any extended time, DO NOT rely on Marta for your transportation. The only thing Marta is consistently good at is frustrating it's patrons. read more

MARTA is plagued by marginal talent and bad incentives. This is likely the most simple light rail system in a major metropolis....perhaps across the globe. However, delays and a lack of information are a matter of course. It's a clear disappointment and is evidenced by the low utilization across Atlanta. read more

I've moved from Sandy Springs to Doraville and I'm in shock!!!! Every morning at 7am there are 5 to 6 homeless people sleeping on the trains in each cart at the Doraville Station EVERY morning. No cops to be found. And coming home waiting for Bus 124 is a freakin nighmare!!! Once again at the Doraville Station. The 5:41pm bus NEVER shows up, but here comes the 6:01pm bus. Standing room only EVERY DAY!!!!! I've been riding Marta for 7 years and this is the worse, nasty, unprofessional location and characters I've ever seen. You move to a crappy neighborhood, you get crappy service. Yes, location does matter. read more

I should of given it ZERO stars but that option is not available. The elevators smell like urine - it makes me sick to my stomach! I waited 2 hours for the 25 bus at Medical Center. Since it never showed up, I left. I waited 1 hour for the train to show up at Buckhead Station, which was packed, so, instead, I actually WALKED to Lindbergh! A lot of times it's faster to walk than wait for the damn bus. And restrooms are not available. Of course, the delays are due to "mechanical difficulties". I've taken transit in Chicago, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, NYC and Charlotte and this town *Atlanta" has the most expensive fares and nastiest buses. You only see whites in the train when there's a ballgame and not a single white employee. I hate, hate, hate, hate taking this POS transportation "system". read more

I gotta say MARTA is good enough for the people that don't use it every day. It's a shame that the folks who depend on it daily don't have anything to say about it. Marta constantly makes changes without giving it's life blood patrons an opportunity to chime in but MARTA is a big business and most big businesses operate that way. The bus operators can be rude and often they are late but it doesn't matter because they are on the clock earning money, no problem, but I show up late for work I have a problem. Also, thir breeze card system needs to be improved, if you load trips on your breeze card, online, you better do is at least 24 hours ahead of time or you won't be able to travel....Other cities don't have these issues. I can go on and on with legitimate issues I have with MARTAs system but I just want ed to shear how displeased I am with their service, I hate that I have to depend on them and working my but off to get a car. read more

ride marta, it's smarta!

Well I have to say I have had some of the most craziest times on Marta and I live in Atlanta all my life so I make a list of good then bad just to speed things up. 1. Connects you to the city (well for the most parts anyway) 2. Some friendly bus and train drivers ( NOTE!!! SOME I didn't say all and the women drivers are the worst, ever been cursed out by a train driver because your friend held the door open for you, NO well I have, was told that she will open the door when she feels like opening the door, and everyone not just me on that one single car in the middle, I mean EVER one heard it... it was awesome, and lets not forget our fan favorite!!!! the bus driver that loves to pass you even when your at the bus stop, favorite excuse... I didn't see you...)( lol classic) 3. Clean...( HA!!! that's what they want you to believe, but ever sit on the back of the trains or buses ever wonder why its always only black guys or homeless people siting on the back ends of trains, that's right they eat, sleep, do drugs, oh and lets not forget the homeless, they use that place for there on personal bathroom, and lets hope theirs not a really cute lady around or you'll get worst then just a pisses smell that's if he's into women.) 4. The happy Crowed(Yeah they ain't so happy when a train is backed up 5 stations away takes 40 to and hour to get there, over crowed, hot and smelling like death, ass, and sex all rolled into one compacted shilled train car or bus, , or having to stand on the platform waiting for the train to show... one comes but hey the lights are off wonder if we're riding in the dark!! :D aww man that would be so cool!!! HEY where you going you left us dummy, train out of serves and the next 2 over crowed and hope there are no pickpockets if there are then your really having a great day on Marta) 5. The best help you can find( Me!! )....( if your lucky)....( Mostly Marta police suck hot air and are to busy chatting with girls that are like 20 years younger then them to care about helping you with you're petty needs, you lose your wallet hold on we'll see if we can find it, no no can't find it oh well, stand there for 2 hours waiting for the anther officer who's nowhere to be found to show up and write a report, oh lets not forget the gang that's been taking cell phones, i pods and anything that's not tided down, and if you're stuck at the gate well lets just say your fucked one way or anther, the operator on the white phone is some what dumb as a tree and don't get yourself robed at gunpoint at some of these black neighborhood station because that's it you ether dead or giving head just to get out of this one. ) ( oh and good luck with that hope there not feeling to rambunctious and go where the sun don't shine) 6. on time..( HA... HAHAHA.... HAA..HA...ha...HAHAHAHA.. ok woooo ok that, oh boy now woo.. now that was a keeper there that was funny i tell you.. man... woo!! ok ever try to catch a bus knew as the 93 or 193 or 1193 or 11-93, what ever they change the number of this bus so much because it was so late to drive from station to station.. for example: the 193 leaves east station at 4pm and will get to the north station at 5 pm, there are 3 other buses that go near or just go to where you/ I want to go but you/ I chose the 193 that comes and goes at 5pm but a bus 54 shows that will get you to your stop and leaves at 5:10pm, but your lazy and don't feel like moving since the 193 will be there before that 54 and leaves before that 54, so you wait, sit there waiting its already 4:59 your still waiting, its 5pm the bus has not shown yet, its 5:05 and the 54 is about to leave but yet you feel confident that bus is coming and you wait, waiting, and waiting, Uh.. Oh the 54 is leaving, but it can't be 5:10 already, huh its not its 5:15, where is the 193?? 5:20...5:25, anther 54 comes...5:30 bus 93 finally comes bolting around the corner about to take out 3 cars with it, speeding to the stop waits everyone gets there breeze cards bus driver doesn't even care if you got the money or not... FYI my kind of driver... and hurries out of the station leaving anyone that was not at the stop running for the bus behind... on time status -30 poor at best) (unless in the white neighborhood where its always on time.) (and I won't even get into the trains, after 7 pm 15 to 20 minutes behind or even 45 minutes, single tracking makes it worst and don't be working nights or weekends because you will be at least 15 to 20 minutes late.) Overall Marta seems OK or great to those who are visitors or live further north because they keep running just a little longer but living in the more poorer areas where crime is at its highest yeah I would give it tubs up if I didn't ride it so much, and the current problem they have now with the escalators and elevators being off for some so called contract cut because of some nut job cutting the safety lines yeah right, made things even worst so yeah only when you need to get places. read more