ATLANTA TRANSIT (Marta, Beltline, Peachtree Streetcar, LovJoy Commuter, etc...)

[ArchKid]

Originally Posted by MdtwnATL

I can't tell if you're just trolling or not, but people saying you're letting a program word your posts is not the same as them saying you are an "AI Bot." Using something like ChatGPT to help you create your posts majorly detracts from them. Just type your thoughts exactly as they come.

There’s no need for that. These are my own feelings and experiences. Why should it speak on my behalf? It cannot understand my true thoughts.

[shivtim]

Summary from WSB about upcoming MARTA improvements

"The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will undergo a major transformation in 2026 with a series of upgrades aimed at enhancing safety, service reliability and improving the customer experience. These upgrades represent a significant response to customer feedback and are part of MARTA’s broader initiative to modernize its services."

• MARTA is set to introduce the new CQ400 railcars, which will replace its legacy fleet. These railcars are touted as the most technologically advanced trains in the country and will feature open gangways, front- and center-facing seats and amenities such as charging stations and real-time service information. Testing of the new trains is currently underway, with multiple units expected to be operational by the start of the World Cup.
  
• The Better Breeze payment system is being installed across MARTA. This new contactless payment option allows customers to use bank cards and mobile wallets at fare gates, improving convenience and reducing fare evasion. The transition period for customers to adapt to this system will occur from March 28 to May 2, during which both the old and new systems will be operational to ease the change.
  
• MARTA will launch its NextGen Bus Network on April 18. This new bus service will provide increased frequency, offering 15-minute intervals to a larger portion of metro Atlanta residents. Additionally, MARTA Reach, a new on-demand transit service, will begin operations on March 7, covering 12 specific zones within the MARTA service area.
  
• The Five Points Station is undergoing a significant rehabilitation project as part of a $1 billion systemwide upgrade program. Enhancements will result in safer and cleaner platforms, with work scheduled for completion before the World Cup. Renovations include new lighting and flooring, while the ongoing Five Points Transformation Project aims to improve overall facility aesthetics and functionality, ensuring that the station is ready for increased traffic during the World Cup.
  
• The region’s first Bus Rapid Transit line will connect Downtown Atlanta to Summerhill and the Atlanta Beltline’s Southside Trail. MARTA said it’s dedicated to providing fast, reliable service in dedicated lanes with off-board payment and level boarding at front and rear doors.

[tinyslam]

I think there is a difference between accusing someone of using AI to write some of their posts and calling them an AI bot. I wouldn't take it too personally unless your defensiveness stems from any kind of truth in the accusation. In today's world proper use of grammar and language may raise some suspicions of using AI. This is probably due to the multitude of informality that we have grown accustomed to in the online world. Another red flag for AI generated text is the use of the long dash —. Considering that there is no key for that on most keyboards AFAIK. I'm not saying its not possible for a person to use alt codes to include them in organic text, but it is something that people have noticed that AI uses much more frequently then real people do. That being said I don't think its that big of a deal if anyone is using AI to generate their text as long as they are proofreading it to ensure that it matches the message they want to convey. I can however understand the negative reaction people have to AI generated content.

Anyway in actually transit related news it looks like the new MARTA train sets have been delayed again. Hopefully we see some in use this summer.

https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/01/new-marta-train-cars-delayed-again/

MARTA’s new train cars will go into service the first week of June, just days before the start of FIFA World Cup soccer games that are expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to downtown Atlanta.

Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt told Georgia legislators Thursday about the latest delay for the futuristic new cars — originally scheduled to go into service in 2025; then early 2026; then spring.

[ArchKid]

Originally Posted by tinyslam

I think there is a difference between accusing someone of using AI to write some of their posts and calling them an AI bot. I wouldn't take it too personally unless your defensiveness stems from any kind of truth in the accusation. In today's world proper use of grammar and language may raise some suspicions of using AI. This is probably due to the multitude of informality that we have grown accustomed to in the online world. Another red flag for AI generated text is the use of the long dash —. Considering that there is no key for that on most keyboards AFAIK. I'm not saying its not possible for a person to use alt codes to include them in organic text, but it is something that people have noticed that AI uses much more frequently then real people do. That being said I don't think its that big of a deal if anyone is using AI to generate their text as long as they are proofreading it to ensure that it matches the message they want to convey. I can however understand the negative reaction people have to AI generated content.

Anyway in actually transit related news it looks like the new MARTA train sets have been delayed again. Hopefully we see some in use this summer.

https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/01/new-marta-train-cars-delayed-again/

Actually, I originally didn’t care at all and had no intention of thinking about or responding to it, because as long as I can clearly and directly express my own thoughts and viewpoints, that should be enough. However, someone has repeatedly posted messages targeting me and even suggested that the moderators mute me, which goes a bit too far. Everyone has their own ideas and positions, and it’s impossible to expect everyone to agree with one’s views. A forum is meant to be open, where everyone has the right to freely express their opinions without undue restriction or control, so that we can all make progress through discussion and exchange. I am simply stating the facts, not deliberately causing trouble, and there is certainly no need for this kind of petty or low-level behavior.

Apart from that, to the user named "shivtim": I hereby formally warn you that I am in the process of collecting all evidence of your attacks and harassment against me on this online platform. Should such conduct continue, at an appropriate time, I will submit this evidence to my attorney and pursue the necessary legal action.

[RocketSurgeon]

I know everything is more complicated than it seems from the outside, but how is it taking years to put a trains on a track? Weren't the first ones delivered in 2023?

7 years into this project and not a single one is running

[montydawg]

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

I know everything is more complicated than it seems from the outside, but how is it taking years to put a trains on a track? Weren't the first ones delivered in 2023?

7 years into this project and not a single one is running

The testing period is normal for trainsets. They feature software and they need to make sure the trains operate safely. It has taken over a year to certify trainsets on MTA, WMTA, and Amtrak- most of the delays have been due to faulty design of certain components the manufacturer has to fix, then recertification of the equipment. Seems understandable for brand new equipment that has never operated in revenue service before.

[shivtim]

I think the issue is that MARTA always underestimates the timelines. We know it takes time to do all of the testing and approval, but then why say 2025? Then why say early 2026? It keeps shifting back. Same with the BRT. I think people would be happy if MARTA just built the potential delays into the initial timeline, and then best case scenario it gets delivered early which nobody would complain about.

[shivtim]

Friends ride MARTA to a Guinness World Record

They rode all four lines, going up and down and all around Fulton and DeKalb Counties, visiting all 38 MARTA stations, with Barbosa leading the way.

“Joabe is my friend. I like to always go with him on his adventures, even if it’s something crazy,” Yousaf told Channel 2 Action News.

The team had to document every leg of the journey, and provide proof of every stop.

They also needed witnesses and signatures to satisfy the Guinness rules. They traveled all 48 miles of track in record-setting time.

[Username123]

Originally Posted by ArchKid

Apart from that, to the user named "shivtim": I hereby formally warn you that I am in the process of collecting all evidence of your attacks and harassment against me on this online platform. Should such conduct continue, at an appropriate time, I will submit this evidence to my attorney and pursue the necessary legal action.

Do you really think anyone will be afraid of you taking any legal action?

In case you do - add me to the list! You’re using ChatGPT. You and your imaginary lawyer can suck it.

[ArchKid]

Originally Posted by Username123

Do you really think anyone will be afraid of you taking any legal action?

In case you do - add me to the list! You’re using ChatGPT. You and your imaginary lawyer can suck it.

Please maintain a civil tone in your comments. I have the right to express myself in writing, and the manner in which I choose to do so is not your concern, provided it does not harm you personally or violate any laws. There is no justification for the use of profanity or personal insults.

Your decision to interject with abusive language in a matter that does not concern you reflects poorly on your conduct and demonstrates a lack of courtesy and basic decorum. I ask that you retract those remarks. I will not engage further with such behavior.

[RocketSurgeon]

Originally Posted by montydawg

The testing period is normal for trainsets. They feature software and they need to make sure the trains operate safely. It has taken over a year to certify trainsets on MTA, WMTA, and Amtrak- most of the delays have been due to faulty design of certain components the manufacturer has to fix, then recertification of the equipment. Seems understandable for brand new equipment that has never operated in revenue service before.

A year I could see, but it looks like it will take a few just to get the first trains running, then another "several years" for the rest. Sounds like it will be the 2030s before the old ones are gone. If so, this minor upgrade will end up spanning a few decades (started in 2019). In the 1970s, the entire system went from groundbreaking to operational in a few years. I don't get it

[shivtim]

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

A year I could see, but it looks like it will take a few just to get the first trains running, then another "several years" for the rest. Sounds like it will be the 2030s before the old ones are gone. If so, this minor upgrade will end up spanning a few decades (started in 2019). In the 1970s, the entire system went from groundbreaking to operational in a few years. I don't get it

It's because transit laws and procurement are completely broken in the US, combined with MARTA being one of the worst-run transit systems in the country, and the state (and sometimes the city/counties) being openly antagonistic. I really try to support MARTA but they consistently shoot themselves in the foot while the state government and NIMBYs are shooting them in the other foot.

[Julien]

Local delegation visits Glydways. Looks like the pods are near complete.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImvQ_F-fEnk

[Julien]

Just to add here is a promo video at the groundbreaking la couple of weeks ago.

https://youtu.be/xLKasKgUECc?si=2VaC-qehOi9B74iV

Also a little promo video of how it is envisioned to operate.

https://youtu.be/GwWVvNYJxDU?si=c7MOkMk24I3wo5lH

[testarossa50]

Originally Posted by Julien

Just to add here is a promo video at the groundbreaking la couple of weeks ago.

https://youtu.be/xLKasKgUECc?si=2VaC-qehOi9B74iV

Also a little promo video of how it is envisioned to operate.

https://youtu.be/GwWVvNYJxDU?si=c7MOkMk24I3wo5lH

I'm actually very excited about autonomous vehicles (no more 45k people dying per year in traffic accidents!) but these pods just seem like an insane idea that will never amount to anything.

Within the Atlanta airport they might be cool. They could solve the whole international arrivals mess at E terminal. But as urban mass transit? Nah.

[Julien]

Originally Posted by testarossa50

I'm actually very excited about autonomous vehicles (no more 45k people dying per year in traffic accidents!) but these pods just seem like an insane idea that will never amount to anything.

Within the Atlanta airport they might be cool. They could solve the whole international arrivals mess at E terminal. But as urban mass transit? Nah.

Watch the 1:30 ground breaking video. Glydways and MARTA are saying it as filling the in-betweens and complementing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLKasKgUECc

[dirtybird]

Originally Posted by testarossa50

They could solve the whole international arrivals mess at E terminal.

That's a great idea!

[smArTaLlone]

• 10 train sets will be here by the end of April
• First goes into revenue service June 4th
• 5 to 7 in revenue service by World Cup